Mable Coulter; Gabrielle Miller; Sean Maguire; Aisling McHugh, Student Social Worker; Alesha Thompson; June McIlfatrick, Care Assistant; Bridget McAloon; Cris Wilson; Elsie Graham and Bridget Slevin.
USERS of the Tempo Road Day Centre, Enniskillen feature in a book of memoirs, thanks to a project led by a student social worker.
Aisling McHugh, who is from Castlederg, is currently on her first Practice Learning Opportunity (PLO) in the South West Acute Hospital with the Social Services and Discharge Team.
During her placement at the Day Centre, she did group work with the over-65s. This interaction enabled her to bridge the gap between the hospital setting and the community.
So, how did the book idea come about?
“It came about during discussion with my practice teacher following a visit to the Day Centre. I couldn’t believe the wealth of history, life experiences and skills the clients had. I thought if the clients were agreeable, we could record their memories and they would always have a tangible record of them in book form.”
During the group work with the clients, Aisling carried out several sessions of reminiscence therapy and art therapy over a number of weeks.
This had the added benefit of strengthening social bonds, sharing memories, providing stimulation and creating a ‘fun’ environment for people using the centre.
“They chose the memories they liked best, and these were used to create the book of memoirs, while their art work and pictures of their knitting were used to create the book’s cover”, Aisling added.
Denise Foster, the Tempo Road Day Centre Manager was suitably impressed.
She said the reminiscence therapy had been a fulfilling experience, and wished Aisling all the best in her future.
“Wednesdays will not be the same without her!”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere