Invisible Voices
An engaging performance exploring female experiences of in patient mental health care
Availability:
Currently available for one-off bookings and short tours. Please contact info@womenandtheatre.co.uk for more information
Introduction
Invisible Voices is a monologues-based training programme exploring female experiences of working within and accessing inpatient mental health services. Developed through research, the programme involves the reading of stories – performed by W&T artists, followed by a facilitated post-show discussion. The piece highlights issues around:
• Mixed wards and staffing on single sex wards
• Pressures on contemporary women
• Context of mental health issues including previous experiences of abuse
• Impact of pregnancy and motherhood
• Importance of communication
Whilst focussing on the female experience, the programme touches on a range of issues which also promote discussion around broader gender equality considerations for inpatient care settings.
History
In 2006, Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust commissioned Women & Theatre to develop and deliver awareness training around the experiences of women with the aim of deepening understanding about gender issues within inpatient care and informing service improvement and development.
Women & Theatre developed a new theatre production from research across Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust. Research participants included a variety of staff members, user voice representatives and some ex-service users.
The Training was piloted in January 2007 at the Uffculme Centre in Birmingham, targeting BSMHT staff and has since been booked for a number of one-off events.
Notes
These monologues are a mixture of voices – the voices of professionals working in the mental health sector with feelings & thoughts about their own practice & the context in which they carry out their practice; the direct first hand experiences of women – sometimes painful – of in-patient care; the artist transforming research into monologue form … making social comment & observation creating a third voice ‘the voice of society’.
The result is a collection of stories that are fascinating, moving, critical, funny, difficult to hear, human….. and like all of Women & Theatre’s work, crying out for change.
Terina Talbot, W&T Associate Director
Outcome
The programme has been very well received and Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Trust are keen to see a wider roll out of training activity to ensure staff engagement across the Trust.
In 2008 therefore, Women & Theatre will be working with BSMHT to develop a sustainable Gender Equality Training package – involving the development of an Invisible Voices DVD Trainers pack and Training the Trainers sessions to empower designated trainers in each directorate to deliver training sessions and cascade learning across the Trust. This will involve additional research with male service users.
Production Credits
Researched & Written by: Janice Connolly
Originally performed by: Janice Connolly, Terina Talbot & Hema Mangoo
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My mother suffers from ill mental health and I would just like to say how great this venture is. My mother has always taken a keen interest in my profession as a performer and wish she could be involved in such a production as this.
Keep up the good work!