"'My Never Ending Story' Story 3"

Patients at a secure hospital have been involved in a new project called'my Never Ending Story'. This is a tale of recovery. It’s written by the patients together in the style of a fairy tale – but it encompasses many aspects of their or their peer’s lives. The difficulties may have been observed in others or felt by themselves. It is humorous and over the top at times, it was written in that way. What started as a task grew into an enthusiasm and the characters took on a life of their own. As you are drawn into this tale listen to the journey that the characters are taking. All of them are learning to cope with difficulties. All of them have some difficulty with prejudices and communication – whether through understanding a different language, paranoia concerning others opinions of them or just because they are different in appearance.

This tale could be written and re written because it is not the story of just one community……………..it could be any community and is happening in different ways all the time hence the never-ending story. As one recovers and accepts a new life another’s journey begins…………………….

Patients spent nearly two years putting together this fantasy story based on the recovery model. The story is fun but with a serious message. The stage the backdrops and all the puppets have been created by a group of four (sometimes five) patients and staff. They are very proud of their work and are looking forward to the forthcoming performances.

This is a piece from a patient:

I was asked to help out with building and design of the models and anything I could help with. I was asked what was the best material to use modroc or papier mache. Modroc is too heavy so papier mache was agreed on and off we went into the designing and building.

My work then began with the building of Joe the paper boy, Spyro the pig, the bed mattress, sheet, quilt and pillow, cooker, menu, book Recovery planter, Joe’s paper bag, cat cage, tablet x 2, certificates, the ring and the wedding arch and removable moon.

It has slowly taken it’s time to get to where we are now, the performance was fantastic from my point of view. To hear staff and patients applauding at the ending of each act and being congratulated at the end.

To see how the play came about and to see how a simple Recovery of a fictional character and all others, I. e. Spyro, Joe, Judge, Father Abraham, Lofty, Mum, Papa Frog, the Police Officer.

I have taken up some blogging for The Unit Flow and The Carers Magazine.

So please come along, laugh and cry if you want but please enjoy.

I split my script up into Act 1, end of Act 1, Act 2 end of Act 2.

We were given long sleeved black T Shirts, due to the T Shirts being too small, I had a Billy Connelly extension added on for extra effect.