b'T3 Journal - Student Writing in Drama, University of Exeter 2019-20in 1979, that maintains standards in all theatre therapyengage in reminiscence theatre, one group with caregivers practice (NADTA, n.d.). This is then carefully monitoredand one group with actors. It was found that the group by government affairs. This is a perfect example of bothwith the actors were more influenced and affected by the a specific case study, but also policy that regulates it. activity but were also more interactive within the group. Furthermore, results were that the residents who were The Forget-Me-Not project, founded in 2015, operateswith the actors recalled more memories and showed less out of East Devon. They aim to draw elderly people outsocially isolated behaviour compared to the control group. of the isolation that their condition puts them in and create(Dijk, et al., 2012) The director of the project also made a space that they feel comfortable in, before launchingthe point that it also affects the actors involved, its not them into reminiscence theatre. Forget-Me-Not usesjust magic for the receiver, but for the practitioners. It memory boxes that are themed around a time era or ancreates a cathartic response for both sides, and it really activity, e.g. the beach. These are presented to the residentsis magic (Valentine-Marsh 2020). While Forget-Me-Not of the care home and the objects often provoke a story oris a charity that runs in East Devon, it isnt technically a thought which reconnects them to their youth or family.government policy as they receive no formal funding. While this isnt healing in a medical sense (they still haveThis specific project is also self-funded, as some care dementia), it stimulates positive emotions and often thishomes regularly pay for their practice. Despite this, I then leads to other stories and all kinds of other tangents.still view it as policy, as it has been funded by the East By exploring the potential of theatre as a healing tool, myDevon Council (Valentine-Marsh 2020). It has also objective was to use it to aid people living with dementiareceived funding from various other charities such as in a care home environment. This type of theatre therapyThe Greenhall Foundation. While they have received is known as Reminiscence theatre, it aims to connectrecognition with the local councils, looking at the wider people to their stories and has been defined as the processsocial settings suggests there has been minimal recognition of thinking or telling someone about past experiences thatof drama therapy as a practice. are personally significant (Azcurra 2012). Reminiscence theatre qualifies as a route of theatre therapy because ofIn conclusion, I believe that theatre therapy should be its effects on each individual. For some people, it makesmade available to everyone. Although there are some them smile and restores a feeling of identity by revisitingdrama therapists within the NHS, this type of healing parts of their childhood or marriage, this identity that hadhasnt been recognised as a fundamental component within been previously erased by dementia and left them feelingthe health service.Its clear that to use theatre as a healing isolated from their loved ones. For other people it can havetool in any care setting has healing aspects, regardless of an impact on their wellbeing and can have an incrediblyhow long-term the effects are. Both policies, in North positive short-term effect on depression, psychologicalAmerica and England show this, and it is because of this well-being and loneliness, as studies have shown (Chiang,evidence that it has healing powers, that I believe that et al. 2009).Another theatre tool that Forget Me Not usestheatre should be recognised as not only a needed tool is armchair travel, in which actors create an immersivein therapy, but that there should also be national policies and interactive piece, using a mixture of props, costumes,regulating the use of theatre as a healing tool.projection and film to transport the group to the seaside or on holiday. To be restricted to an armchair and away from your family must be a lonely experience, and to be included in an armchair travel exercise is valued within care home settings, as it not only forms a relationship as a group, but brings joy and happiness, regardless of how long the effect is. This case study demonstrates that theatre as a healing tool and a therapy is an umbrella term, and it proves that there are many different approaches to use theatre in a care context. There have been studies into how theatre improves the lives of people living with dementia. The University of Cambridge conducted a study. They had two groups 26'