Audio Postcards is a project I started for myself really when I was working in Southern Italy. Beginning out of Creative Frustration and a way to document where I was and what I was feeling through the ease of my mobile phone. When we went into Lockdown, I then started to send them to friends and family as a way to connect. To my surprise I started to receive them back too. Many Postcard recipients told me how much they loved them and it made them feel like they were there with me or in the part of Italy I was in.
I felt like I had stumbled upon a really interesting idea that could start to connect people and loved ones during a time when we were actively encouraged to be distant. Activate Performing Arts - based in The Little Keep in Dorchester, Dorset advertised they were offering Micro-commissions - I hadn’t really had any experience of applying for commissions, I get a feeling of major imposter syndrome that cloaks me and a sense that I haven’t got the necessary experience or no-how to pull off a project.
After a conversation with Kate Wood, Director of Activate about my ideas, I was introduced to Sarah Rampton - Director of North Dorset based Charity, In Jolly Good Company. Sarah works within her local community to bring older people, carers and people living with Dementia together. Before the lockdown began In Jolly Good Company were offering, ‘ Jolly Days ‘ . A morning or afternoon centred around tea, biscuits and conversation - as most of the best get togethers are! These of course had to swiftly stop and in their place Sarah introduced the ‘Jolly Postal Service’ a postal service with a difference - handmade goodies - letters and parcels of joy all safely and carefully delivered by Sarah and a team of volunteers. After a brief conversation myself and Sarah both agreed that Audio Postcards, could not only be a nice addition to this for those isolated and vulnerable older folk - but perhaps a more accessible and interesting way to connect those in the village that were disconnected from loved ones and everyday life.
I applied to the micro-commission and to my surprise I was selected. Since then, I have really enjoyed the element of collaboration and working with Sarah to make the project come to life and working with Caroline Suri and the team at Activate has been a joy; I feel supported to understand how better to deliver a project of this nature and have space to think about elements I wouldn't normally consider.
It has been met with various logistical challenges - in terms of the social distancing measures and the technology we are using to make and send the postcards. However, as the allotment that Sarah and some of the participants attend is now permitting small groups to use it, we are hoping to record some interesting outdoor sounds and conversations to play to others that can’t attend the outdoor sessions in the following weeks.
Check my News tab above as the project progresses. There is a button below that will take you straight to some of the Postcards I have sent and received on Sound Cloud.
Thanks for reading. Are you a friend or family member caring for someone with Dementia. Would they enjoy receiving an Audio Postcard. Perhaps you’re intrigued and would like to find out more?
Please do get in touch - I’m very friendly and approachable!
audiopostcardsproject@gmail.com
Mobile Number: (+44)7929118289
This initial phase of this project was commission by ACTIVATE PERFORMING ARTS and supported by Dorset County Council the Leisure Development Fund. For more information about Activate and other projects they have produced click the link HERE.
