Make Sense
Millman Street
Our first in-person series of workshops since the easing of lockdown restrictions was delivered at the Millman Street Day Centre in Holborn.
Firstly, I would like to commend Millman Street for their incredible work throughout the pandemic. They managed to maintain several in-person services, while many other centers were unable to.
A significant advantage of in-person programs is the increased opportunity for spontaneous discussion. This not only allows for sessions to be tailored to the interests of the participants, but also fosters stronger bonds between them, leading to more meaningful relationships. This dynamic is difficult to replicate on Zoom, where free-flowing conversation can be challenging and often leads to participants speaking over one another.
Another benefit is the shared physical space. It allowed for a deeper understanding of the participants' sensory experiences. While smell and touch can be difficult to convey on Zoom, in person, all senses were more readily accessible. Additionally, my physical presence allowed me to better gauge the participants' pace, enabling me to provide more appropriate intervals for sharing their work.
Although this in-person program at Millman Street appears to be a more accessible approach to engaging with people living with dementia, online workshops, particularly those held in participants' homes, offered a glimpse into their personalities within their own environments. This includes their comfort in familiar surroundings and their ease in sharing personal objects. This is an element I would like to incorporate into future in-person sessions, especially those held in day centers and community settings.