Jane E Bennett is a published writer and poet.

She is currently working alongside other local poets to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Herefordshire Mind.   All of these poems will be published in an upcoming book as part of the anniversary celebrations.  Jane recently read at the Ledbury Poetry Festival 2018 and also had some of her work displayed in the panelled room in the Master's House in the centre of Ledbury.

 

Reasons why your residents will benefit from a poetry reading session:

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Poetry speaks to inner work, not outer work. The elderly are ready to take on that inner work, turning any irrelevance in the material world into an opportunity.

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Poetry speaks to the heart and the soul, and can be deeply calming and relaxing.

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Poetry insists that we slow down. In my presentations I read the vast majority of the poems twice; slowly the first time, a little faster the second, and I include some brief comments after the first reading.    

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Residents are encouraged to read aloud with me, or read by themselves if they wish to, and also to bring along their own books of favourite poems that can be included in the session.  These can either be read by me or the residents.

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Poetry is best appreciated from a perspective of experience. Looking back from a high point of a long journey.  Your residents may be more able to understand what poetry is saying.

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In poetry one can find validation of one's own experience. So many times during my presentations, elders nodded vigorously, or sighed, “So true, so true.” Especially in times of dealing with emotional or physical pain, it helps greatly to know that others have felt what you are feeling.

 

COST OF SESSION:   £35.00   Sessions last approx. 45 - 60 mins (please note that they often do go on for longer so do inform me beforehand if you are on a tight schedule).