Encounter Theatre and Therapy awarded community grant

For many elderly people the idea of loneliness is something which is unfortunately common, but thankfully the people of Exeter and East Devon are not alone - thanks to organisations like Encounter Theatre and Therapy.

ETT acts to aid from a dramatherapeutic perspective to help adults who may be facing a range of challenges.

They have used their unique approach to reach out to the elderly in Exeter, as they teamed up with Age UK and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum to bring the “Local Elders-Weather Memories and Connections” project to the area.

Their hard work has not gone unnoticed and the company have been awarded a £500 grant as recognition on behalf of Bluebird Care.

It is said that they were impressed by the interactive sessions that ETT provided, as it helped to reduce the isolation that elderly people have suffered.

Director of Bluebird care William Flint praised the scheme, he said: “It is great to see so many people enjoying the exhibition, lots of whom, without this project would not have been able to attend.”

He continued: “At Bluebird Care we are always on the lookout to support local projects that enable vulnerable people living at home to remain an active part of the local community.”

Amerie Rose from ETT accepted the grant and spoke about the initiative, she said: “We work with a diverse range of people from all walks of life, including the more vulnerable people in our community such as the elderly and those with dementia, learning disabilities or who are marginalised through trauma.

“We would like to express our immense thanks to Bluebird Care for supporting our current project with their £500 community grant, which will help us deliver sessions to more local elders than was previously possible."