'Hello my name is...' playreading, 11th July 2019

We will be holding our annual presentation event on Thursday, 11th July 2019 at St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, London EC1V 8AJ. This is an open event, it's free to attend, all our friends and supporters are invited. 

In the morning, we will be hosting two performed readings of the play ‘Hello my name is…' written by Brian Daniels of New End Theatre Beyond. 

The first playreading will start promptly at 10.15am with registration and will finish at 11.35am

The second playreading will start promptly at 11.50am with registration and refreshments from 11.20am and will finish at 1.10pm

Each playreading will be followed by an audience discussion and Q&A with Brian Daniels, actress Marie Fortune and special guest, Chris Pointon. 

About the Play

#hellomynameis... is an internationally recognised campaign encouraging person-centred, compassionate care through meaningful communication - both verbal and non-verbal. The campaign was initiated by the late Dr Kate Granger and her husband, Chris Pointon.  

 
Kate was cared for by St Gemma’s Hospice Leeds during the latter stages of her illness until her death on 23 July 2016.  To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of St Gemma’s Hospice, the award-winning playwright, Brian Daniels, was commissioned to write a play about Kate and Chris’s journey, before, during and after Kate’s cancer diagnosis.  
 
Dr Kate Granger was an outstanding geriatrician. She became a consultant in her early 30s and her future looked bright. She and her husband, Chris, were planning their future life when she was diagnosed with a rare and virulent cancer. Overnight she became a patient and observed life from a hospital bed. During numerous encounters with a wide range of medical and healthcare professionals Kate felt she was losing a sense of her personal identity. Then a porter named Brian arrived to take her to the operating theatre. He introduced himself saying, ‘Hello, my name is Brian and I’m going to take care of you’. Those words restored Kate’s feeling of self-worth and, knowing she was in palliative care, resolved to “make a difference”. She started a campaign for those engaged in health and social care to introduce themselves with ‘Hello, my name is...’ and a smile. The campaign was born and has now achieved worldwide recognition.  
 
The play tells the story of personal heartbreak, resolve and determination to make the world of healthcare a better place. You will laugh, you will cry but most importantly you will never forget that it’s the little things that make a difference.

Some audience feedback:

“Real people, real story, real feelings and emotions. Really, really moving.”
“Gained more understanding into Dr Kate's journey and the importance of person-centred care delivery.”
“Very moving, made me very humble to work with an amazing team whose ethos is 'hellomynameis'. Liked hearing about the journey.”
“Inspiring, hugely powerful story and legacy.”.
“Very moving and inspirational, a MUST for anyone working with vulnerable people.”
“The truly inspirational story of an extremely brave lady whose legacy will live on.”
“Absolutely life changing and career inspiring story. Thank you for the opportunity to see this amazing story and be inspired and humbled by Dr Kate and Chris.”

Award winning playwright Brian Daniels was commissioned to write the play which is around 45 minutes in length and is played by two professional actors – one playing Chris, the other playing Kate.  You will rejoice in their story of unconditional love and commitment.

The afternoon's programme will feature presentation of two awards:

• Margaret Butterworth Awards 2019 recognising excellence in dementia care for care workers, health care assistants and activity organisers

• John Gregory Williamson Memorial Award 2019 recognising and rewarding one creative project, that is demonstrably improving the lives of people living with dementia and their families.

We wil be rounding off the afternoon with a particpative drumming workshop with             Ray Watters from 'Drum with Us'

If you would also like to attend the awards presentation event from 2.00pm until 3.15pm please click on the link below to book: 

https://margaret-butterworth-and-john-gregory-williamson.eventbrite.co.uk

If you would like to attend the drumming session from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, please click on the link below to book:

https://drumming-london.eventbrite.co.uk