Hamble Court plays the Connect Through Stories Game
My Storyboard
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‘It was a wonderful event, there was lots of laughter, plenty of conversation and even the quieter residents joined in.’
My Word
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Connect through stories
The Connect Through Stories Game comes to Hamble Court
Hamble Court, is a supported residen- residents last year’, she says, ‘and tial service that is home to 29 elderly their philosophy of “You can’t truly residents. care for someone without knowing their Lenna Krooglik, Hamble Court’s man- story’ resonates with what we try to do ager, explains that personalised care here. So I was very confident that the and quality of life for the residents is game would be a positive experience for our residents and our staff’. what drives her and her team:
‘We’re always looking for ways to engage with the residents and to encourage them to interact with each other’, she explains. ‘Because of their age and frailty, it is hard to take the residents out, so we rely on activities we can do here within the facility.’ So when Lenna heard about My Word’s story sharing game, she invited them to come and run the event for the residents of Hamble Court. ‘I already knew My Word from the wonderful storyboard they created for one of our
Lenna also loved the idea of an activity that encouraged the residents to talk more to each other, as it is something that some of them seem reluctant to do. ‘Some are hard of hearing, some are a little shy and have a few social inhibitions’, says Lenna. ‘I noticed that dinner times were particularly quiet, and one of the ladies explained to me that many people of her age were brought up not to talk at the table. Danielle from My Word had explained that the game encouraged players to share stories with each other, which I felt could only be a good thing’.
The Connect Through Stories Game consists of different rounds of questions, each designed to elicit stories, trigger memories and encourage conversation. The residents were divided into teams, each with a member of staff or volunteer. My Word facilitated the whole process, including capturing the stories on a ‘Story Wall’, which is left after the game.
There were benefits for the staff too;
brought some of them out of their shell. I discovered that one of our ladies had worked as the assistant editor at The Age – something she’d never told us before. I was amazed when, in response to the question, “Do you remember your first kiss?” one of the shyer ladies shared her story. It wouldn’t have happened outside the context of the game – because of the format, and the way in which it was facilitated. We could all have a giggle over a wonderful and funny shared story’.
‘It also helps to make sense of some of their personality traits and quirks – for example the fact that someone is very particular about writing things down correctly makes complete sense when you know she was a journalist’.
‘We learned so much about the residents in our care – we’ve had a glimpse into the full and interesting lives they’ve led, and it serves to ‘It was a great platform for starting remind us that they haven’t always conversations’, says Lenna, ‘and it really been old.’
Lenna is delighted with My Word’s story sharing game; ‘It took our residents on an enjoyable trip down memory lane and knowing their stories has helped me and my team further enhance the quality of care we offer’.
Lenna Krooglik, Manager of Hamble Court Lenna playing Connect Through Stories and connecting with one of the residents.
— Stories are the only way to create an emotional connection —
Bring your residents’ stories to life with the Connect Through Stories Game. Contact us today
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