CHECK IT OUT!

We are thrilled to present the final product of the Falling project in the form of a unique website.  Go to buskin.org and click on the colourful Falling graphic as shown.

This beautiful work was made from plasticine by one of our participants, and represents the level of work and commitment invested in the project.

 

We hope you enjoy what we have to share.

LAUNCH OF 'FALLING' WEBSITE - 28th March

Hilary & Sarah have the pleasure of inviting you

to attend the presentation of Buskin’s latest project

 ‘Falling’ is a unique new web resource, which has been created by local people aged 55-plus specifically aimed at their contemporaries.  The new internet site aims to raise awareness of the dangers as well as offering tips for the prevention of falling in later life.  Attendees will have an opportunity to be introduced to the resource, try it out for themselves and talk to the participants.

Light refreshments provided.  All welcome.

Wednesday 28th March between 10.00am-12.00pm

(short presentation at 11am)

St Albans Council Offices, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street

RSVP:  buskinhq@gmail.com

Hilary Dawson: 07890 348901   Sarah Mackay: 07980 261552

‘FALLING’ involved a group of 12 individuals, who met weekly at the Jubilee Centre and worked together over a period of 3 months. Hilary Dawson & Sarah Mackay of Buskin led the group in a variety of creative activities, including drama, crafts, poetry and song.  They were encouraged to explore and share the issues surrounding falling, in particular the after-effects on the body and mind.  Participants brought together their own talents, skills and experiences to create something lasting which will be accessible and useful to others.  The resulting web resource features a combination of video, photography, animation and artworks.  It has been designed to be easy to navigate, particularly for those with limited computer experience. 

 A recurring theme which emerged from the sessions was that the effects of a fall often go unrecognised after the physical wounds have healed up.  Fear and a loss of confidence often lead to a decrease in social activity and overall health – which in turn can contribute to further falls.  We hope through this project to demonstrate the importance of staying active and socially connected in order to reduce the devastating impact of falling in later life.



Watch This Space

 

Plasticine sculpture by Judith

 Following our final session and a festive party, we bade fond farewells to the group for the time being.    

All the work produced over our weeks together - pieces of art, drama, poetry, song, photographs and enormous amounts of fun and laughter - is now being magically darned together with a virtual bodkin and thread ready for its launch onto the internet. 

 

Sketch by Tony





Poem by Mary



The resulting web-based information resource should be available in Spring 2012. 

We will keep you posted.

TRIPPING ALONG JUST FINE!

 

 Our committed group of participants never cease to amaze us.  Every week, one of them breezes into the session clutching something they have been inspired to make, write, draw, compose or design around the issues surrounding falls and falling.







As important as the project itself is the strong bond which has formed between group members.  Judging by the amount of merciless teasing and raucous laughter, things are going just they way they should be!



As the sessions themselves near the final weeks, we are pulling together the research, personal experiences and issues raised.  The group have bravely explored sometimes uncomfortable feelings and questions around falling - confidence, fear, dependence and risk-taking - as they progress into older age.  Their work has been expressed through art, drama, film, audio, photography and animation and will be shared via a web-based format early in 2012.

We're off to a great start...

We were thrilled to be joined by such a lovely bunch of people at our first session last Tuesday.  Between them they have an amazing and inspiring range of experience and skills (including art, theatre, writing, singing) and most importantly of all, are willing to challenge themselves! 

We look forward to this voyage of discovery with our group who are keen to mix up their talents to create an exciting...something...watch this space!

PS.  Still a few spaces available if you want to join us - only experience necessary: a sense of humour!  Tuesdays 9.30am-12.30pm at the Jubilee Centre, Catherine Street, St Albans

FIRST SESSION LOOMING - JOIN US!

Tuesday 13th September 9.30am-12.30pm

Jubilee Centre, Catherine Street, St Albans

No need to let us know - just turn up for our first session and give it a try.  It is FREE of charge and there is no obligation to continue if it is not for you.  However, we can guarantee discovery, creativity, laughter and new friends.

If you are aged 55 plus and fancy a creative and stimulating challenge, you need us and we need you!  Read previous blogs for further details on the project.



STILL LOOKING...

After a successful meeting on 24th May, we still need more retired people to be involved with our drama/art/film/multimedia project about preventing falls which starts in St Albans this September.  All skills and no skills welcome - this will be a fun adventure to meet new people and challenge yourself a little.  What are you waiting for? - Get in touch.