Masks and Puppets
Using masks and music to create drama and fiction is a way of helping people to understand themselves in new ways and enable a change to one’s mental state. Funded by Lankelly Chase, this project used masks and puppets in a series of workshops with a group of patients at a secure mental health unit providing therapy sessions to aid their recovery. The participants took great pleasure in making a mask which in itself was a very rewarding experience. Then, using the masks along with music, different personas were embodied which lead to personal change that can be associated with a positive and safe experience.
Participants who said that they were not in a good mood or felt depressed, quickly forget about this and smiled and laughed during the activities creating a mood of happiness and enjoyable social engagement. On top of this participants were able to discuss emotions freely embedding confidence and self-esteem in thoughts and feelings. The project culminated in a short drama and film of their created work. To hear what some of the participants said, please click here
“I’ve been told by several of the participants how much they valued the activity and their enthusiasm was remarkable. I attended the final rehearsal and everyone was, of course, a bit nervous; but the facilitators, Dee and Keith were so unruffled that they created a relaxed space and we ended up just having fun. Then, on the day, the warmth, support and encouragement from the audience was really quite moving and uplifting. The performance and the response it elicited gave me a real sense of community and belonging and it has certainly motivated other patients to request that they attend the Puppet and Mask group.”
Mal Ure
Senior Occupational Therapist