Photographs are powerful. They bear witness to tragedy and joy, document and preserve moments in time, connect people, keep loved ones alive, bring clarity and understanding - highlight the small details we sometimes don’t see - foster sympathy, raise awareness, and sometimes they can also act as a catalyst for change.
EXPRESSION NOT AGGRESSION
Amber Seabrook, Manager of the Woodside Residential Care Home in Slip End, launched a campaign aimed at health professionals and the public, to raise awareness of the effect of negative language around dementia - aggression - and how showing understanding and kindness - expression - will have a positive effect on patients and their families.
Empathy, compassion and kindness
“People who live with dementia will at times hit out, shout and swear”, says Amber. “This isn’t aggression; they are expressing their feelings of fear, anxiety, frustration and vulnerability. We need to view the world through their eyes, and recognise how our actions can create these emotions. I believe we need to see, we need to listen and we need to communicate with empathy, compassion and kindness to make them feel loved and safe.”
THE FACE OF SHEINSPIRES 2021
Amber was chosen as The Face of SheInspires 2021 during Women’s Month in March, and as part of the initiative, I offer to support and showcase her inspirational work with my photography.
This led me to the care home on Sunday where I was completely overwhelmed by the warmth of my welcome, the openness, trust and acceptance extended to me. It feels intrusive photographing the ebb and flow in the home, but everyone there, the staff and the families understand how giving people insight into life with dementia will foster understanding in the world.
The portraits and video were filmed for The Face of She Inspires 2021 Amber Seabrook, the driving force behind the ‘Expression not Aggression’ campaign.
the power of music
Singer and songwriter Lucian B was inspired to write and perform a song to support the Expression not Aggression campaign and I had the opportunity to put together the video to support it.
A huge thank you to the wonderful, wonderful people at Woodside, it was so lovely to be fussed over, given cups of tea, have the opportunity to listen to the residents and meet the smiling chef who wouldn’t let me leave the kitchen until I had tasted his yummy salad. A day tinged with sadness, but also filled with joy and laughter.
How can you help Amber?
Make a donation to the campaign and Dementia UK via the JustGiving page . The money raised will be used to setup essential support groups for families who live with dementia.
Join Amber and her team in a walk from St Albans to Slip End to promote the campaign. Email expressionnotaggression@gmail.com for information.