'I give, I give, it's endless you see
But can anyone tell me who gives to me?
I've fought every battle, without and within
But the arrows are sharpening and they're beginning to win
I'm screaming inside for help thats not there
I'm called the carer, but I need some care
Nobody hears me, I have no hope
Everyone assumes that I'm able to cope'
Poem written by a member of the Community and Carers Development team
Doncaster's Community and Carers Development Team were keen to find a creative way to deliver a training programme to social workers, occupational therapists and assessment workers that would raise awareness of the informal carer and their needs. darts were approached and through discussion we agreed to train the Community and Carers Development Team in how to construct a piece of Forum Theatre that would explore and highlight the pressures that carers face.
What is Forum Theatre?
In Forum Theatre the audience (spect-actors) watch a short play which shows a character being oppressed. The play is then repeated exactly as it was done the first time with the actors trying to bring the play to the same end as before. The audience try to change the ending in order to break the oppression and show that new solutions are possible. When the play is running for a second time the spect-actors can shout 'stop' at anytime and then give suggestions or take over the actor's role to try and change the ending themselves. The game is spect-actors - trying to find a new solution, trying to change the world - against actors - trying to hold them back, to force them to accept the world as it is. The spect-actors, by acting out their ideas, train for 'real life' action and are spurred into finding new solutions and inventing new ways of confronting oppression.
darts workshops with Community and Carers Development Team
'I hope that Forum Theatre will help practitioners to reflect upon their own practice and begin the process of changing their attitudes towards carers assessments.' Community and Carers Development Team
In August 2007 two drama workers from darts worked with the team over 6 days to show them how to construct a piece of Forum Theatre using issues previously identified by carers. The drama workers then trained them in the specific skills required in facilitating a piece of Forum. The piece of theatre was performed by the team at training sessions for assessment workers, social workers and occupational therapists.
We started by creating still images using our bodies to show how the relationship changes between the carer and the cared for, e.g. between mother and daughter over the years. We also created abstract images for words that carers had used to describe the pressures they faced e.g. 'juggling' or 'battle.' Using these ideas as a starting point we developed the character of the carer and identified the other people in their life. We ran improvisations that showed the carer coping with the various pressures in their life, identified the crisis point for the carer and talked about what could have been done to help. None of the team had any previous acting experience and yet they embraced the challenge and produced a confident and sensitive piece of drama.
The final play told the story of Carol who was struggling to care for her mum, Doreen, and still find time for herself and the rest of her family; it illustrated the need for the social worker involved to take into account Carol's needs and not just Doreen's. The Community and Carers Development Team hoped that the play would 'give the audience a different perspective of a situation they see on a daily basis.'
darts also worked intensively with one member of the Community and Carers Development Team to train them in how to successfully facilitate the piece of Forum and to make sure that the audience of social workers, assessment officers and occupational therapists engaged fully with the process.
Feedback of darts workshops from the Community and Carers Development Team
'I was surprised to learn about my colleagues' strengths. When you start to be creative you see people in a different light.'
darts found the Community and Carers Development Team to be supportive, enthusiastic and open to new ideas, even though they admitted that this was a 'daunting process' to go through.
'We praise you for the supportive way that you introduced us to forum theatre and managed to make us feel comfortable enough to have a go and play our characters. Although challenging, it has been a brilliant experience for us all.'
They praised the way that darts artists 'guided' them and were 'impressed with the design and delivery of the training.' As well as gaining the skills and confidence in producing a piece of Forum Theatre they also learned facilitation skills and a new way of approaching training.
The impact of the Forum Theatre on the audience
The social workers, assessment officers and occupational therapists who took part in the Forum Theatre described the play as 'powerful and thought-provoking', said that 'it highlighted both the client and carer's issues' and 'added real emotion to the subject.'
They described the practical element of the Forum as 'interactive and innovative', 'a very interesting and unusual approach' and thought Forum Theatre was an 'excellent learning tool.'
This interactive approach to looking at the role of the carer seemed to capture the audience's imagination and led to some very interesting debate about how social services could find new solutions to caring for the carer.
What next?
'I think that all training that we might deliver would benefit from the use of creative techniques. In particular, we are considering delivering carers awareness training to appropriate staff in neighbourhood teams and I think a creative approach would be most helpful here.' Community and Carers Development Team
darts are keen to continue to work with the Community and Carers Development Team to further develop their creative skills and offer support and ideas on how to use creative techniques to get people thinking differently.
darts are also keen to talk to other service providers who may be interested in using a creative approach to engage their clients in an accessible, fun and innovative way!