One-on-one and group TimeSlips performed storytelling work
 

TimeSlips 

is a performed storytelling modality that was developed in the 1990s by Anne Basting in the USA and is now used across the world. It focuses on imagination rather than memory, on who the person is in the present rather than traditional reminiscence activities that focus on supporting people living with dementia to talk about their past lives. The title of one of Basting’s books is Forget Memory. 

 

In a typical group session, people living with dementia are seated in chairs around a facilitator who shows a visual prompt and asks open-ended questions that emphasise the collaboration of the participants: e.g. what do we want to call him? (who?) Where do we want to say this takes place/ (where?) and when should we say this takes place (when?). Other questions might relate to what happens next or to the world outside of the image. The images chosen are often extraordinary rather than literal to draw on the imagination (such as a man hugging a tiger). Participants’ responses are echoed by the facilitator and recorded on a flipchart or paper. Facilitators accept all answers: the TimeSlips mantra is “there are no right or wrong answers.” Facilitators never correct the input from the storytellers. Responses are written down to create a narrative and periodically read back to help people with dementia to develop the story further or bring it to a close. The story is then given a title by the group and is read again the week after to the participants, if they meet regularly, before the next story is created. 

 

Improvisation groups

 

Elder theatre work and performance [at KXT theatre Sydney]

 

Bespoke performance interventions in care homes 

 

Storymaking

 

Voice work

 

Sensory and messy play