It is often said that ‘adversity feeds creativity’ and this can certainly be said of the collaboration that has taken place during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown between The Devil’s Porridge Museum and The Arts End of Somewhere Multi-sensory Storytellers and Performers.
PAMIS (promoting a more inclusive society) have been funded by The Holywood Trust to develop their multi-sensory storytelling project, which supports people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families, across the region. Their work supports Dumfries-based arts collective The Arts End of Somewhere who research, write, develop and perform multi-sensory stories. The group, who have additional support needs themselves, work with culture and heritage partners, to produce fascinating tales, all accompanied by an array of multi-sensory props. Most recently they have been working on a collaboration with The Devil’s Porridge Museum to tell the story of HM Factory Gretna and how World War One altered the lives of Dumfriesshire residents.
“I first came across The Arts End of Somewhere when I was invited to a performance at Ellisland Farm,” said Steve Bogle, Access and Learning Officer at The Devil’s Porridge Museum. “I was amazed by the performance and the way they interacted with the audience. I spoke with Heather Molloy, who had coordinated the performance, afterwards and we both instantly realised the potential for a Devil’s Porridge story.”
Due to the lockdown-enforced closure of the Museum the storytellers and performers have not been able to visit The Devil’s Porridge, but instead have been investigating online and meeting regularly over Zoom to discuss ideas together and with the Museum. Zoe Charlesworth, one of the Arts End of Somewhere Storytellers, commented on how this new story has helped her during the recent months: “I’m absolutely loving it. Getting to interact over Zoom and having this opportunity is keeping me busy and positive.”
As ever, Heather Molloy, the PAMIS Programme Lead, has been on hand to support the work of the Arts End of Somewhere group. She said, “PAMIS are delighted to be working alongside The Devil’s Porridge Museum and The Arts End of Somewhere Storytellers in developing these multi-sensory stories that will support people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families to experience this important part of our local heritage. This project has also provided our wonderful storytellers with an opportunity to be creative and learn about the Museum during lockdown.”
Once The Devil’s Porridge Museum can re-open, which will hopefully be in the next few months, and once live events can take place, The Arts End of Somewhere will be proudly preforming their multi-sensory story at The Devil’s Porridge Museum!
