Overview
Storytelling, both traditional and contemporary, forms the basis of all Compass activity. It's where we began, telling stories form all over the world, hence the name, Compass.
We still give Storytelling Sessions, and run workshops, in various community settings, such as schools, libraries, clubs, day centres, hospitals and country parks. These sessions can be a springboard for related activities such as drama, visual art or creating new stories.
For special occasions like festivals, book weeks or other events, Storytelling Shows can be staged involving tape-slide accompaniment, with illustrations and music.
Compass also run specialist traning courses for caring professionals such as teachers, librarians, care workers, occupational therapists, councellors etc. on 'How to tell stories that heal'
For more details please click on Courses.
Storytelling, both traditional and contemporary, forms the basis of all Compass activity. It's where we began, telling stories form all over the world, hence the name, Compass.
We still give Storytelling Sessions, and run workshops, in various community settings, such as schools, libraries, clubs, day centres, hospitals and country parks. These sessions can be a springboard for related activities such as drama, visual art or creating new stories.
For special occasions like festivals, book weeks or other events, Storytelling Shows can be staged involving tape-slide accompaniment, with illustrations and music.
Compass also run specialist traning courses for caring professionals such as teachers, librarians, care workers, occupational therapists, councellors etc. on 'How to tell stories that heal'
For more details please click on Courses.
The power of story
Storytelling has enjoyed a tremendous resurgence in recent years, thanks mainly to 'The Society for Storytellers', a national voluntary organisation with a growing number of members and affiliate groups all over the country.
Storytelling has enjoyed a tremendous resurgence in recent years, thanks mainly to 'The Society for Storytellers', a national voluntary organisation with a growing number of members and affiliate groups all over the country.
It is interesting to speculate why this has all come about. Perhaps there
is a need for 'live' communication, as opposed to all the canned programmes
we watch; or a need for insights into the human condition; sharing of
experiences; guidance about our own particular situation - the list could
go on. Stories appeal to different people in different ways and on different
levels.
Storytelling is a shared experience, not a performance. The story comes through the teller, and the listener adds his or her own connections, images and responses. The involvement of both hemispheres of the brain (language and visual imagery) may contribute to the subjective feeling of storytelling as a full experience, which exercises intellectual, imaginitive and emotional facilities all at once.
As author, Gynethh Craven puts it, "The best and deepest learning about how to manage the kingdom of the self, often occurs in the back of the mind while the front of the mind is being skillfully entertained."
There is no doubt that a good story, well told, can transport the listener to a different place. From there, the observing self can see things from a different point of view; there is a stillness; old, habitual thoughts are at rest; a deeper understanding and a new resolve can bring about the possibility of change.
More recently, 'The Society for Storytelling' has created an interactive website for storytellers working in, or interested in, the field of therapy. This is a growing area of study, with many papers and books on the subject being published.
Joe Griffin, leading physcotherapist with Mindfields College, predicts that one in three people will suffer a mental breakdown in the 21st century. He also predicts that the telling and sharing of stories can help to alleviate this situation.
Wise therapists know that the seeds of healing must be planted gently, through metaphor, or under cover of fantasy or entertainment. The also know the message will germinate only in its own time.
Storytelling is a very palatable way of going to the doctor!
Storytelling is a shared experience, not a performance. The story comes through the teller, and the listener adds his or her own connections, images and responses. The involvement of both hemispheres of the brain (language and visual imagery) may contribute to the subjective feeling of storytelling as a full experience, which exercises intellectual, imaginitive and emotional facilities all at once.
As author, Gynethh Craven puts it, "The best and deepest learning about how to manage the kingdom of the self, often occurs in the back of the mind while the front of the mind is being skillfully entertained."
There is no doubt that a good story, well told, can transport the listener to a different place. From there, the observing self can see things from a different point of view; there is a stillness; old, habitual thoughts are at rest; a deeper understanding and a new resolve can bring about the possibility of change.
More recently, 'The Society for Storytelling' has created an interactive website for storytellers working in, or interested in, the field of therapy. This is a growing area of study, with many papers and books on the subject being published.
Joe Griffin, leading physcotherapist with Mindfields College, predicts that one in three people will suffer a mental breakdown in the 21st century. He also predicts that the telling and sharing of stories can help to alleviate this situation.
Wise therapists know that the seeds of healing must be planted gently, through metaphor, or under cover of fantasy or entertainment. The also know the message will germinate only in its own time.
Storytelling is a very palatable way of going to the doctor!
© Compass Community Arts 2004
