World's first ever empathy=action workshop: introduction

I had a call one morning in 2005, my Father in Law Roy was not well.  I rushed over to the bungalow and he was sat in his chair staring at the sunlight coming in through the window.  We didn’t know it but he had had a stroke.  We got him to hospital and we visited regularly, fully expecting him to recover and return to his old self.  Well that never happened for Roy and I think if I had seen this film before that day, life could have been a lot better for Roy.  None of us knew anything about Stroke, we had no idea how Roy was feeling, no idea of the time and effort it takes to regain speech and mobility.  Really, we had no idea how we could help him – we just did not understand.

And, that is the whole point of these films and the whole point of the Wiltshire Voices project.  We want to raise awareness, spread the knowledge build up a better understanding.  We want to make changes to the way we do things so life can be better for the people who feature in these films and the thousands like them living across Wiltshire.  

Wiltshire Voices gives us the chance to see things from a different perspective and to learn from those who sometimes find it difficult to speak up for themselves.  When you see this film, I am sure you will be greatly moved.  And in a way that is good because sympathy and compassion can get us motivated to do something positive.  Maybe that is enough in itself, but we want to use the films as a starting point for a campaign of action across Wiltshire.  And we can start that process here this afternoon.

Before we show the film, I would like to tell you about the day I attended one of workshop sessions in Warminster Library.  We met up with the Warminster Stroke Club and I sat on a table with a small group.  We started our introductions and it was clear that one of the group - Bill - had real trouble with his speech and seemed frustrated that he could not take part in the discussion.  I kept trying to bring him into the discussion, to make him feel part of the workshop but I could see that he was not comfortable.   Then one of the participants started to talk about how he didn’t like going out because some people assumed he was drunk.  At that point, Bill nodded and pointed passionately at the speaker and we all knew this was something that Bill felt very keenly himself.   From that point on, Bill was able to join in the conversation and we were able to ask Bill if the points made struck a chord with him – and he would nod and point when someone said something that he felt strongly about.  After the workshop had finished I sat and had a cup of tea with Bill, and when we left he shook my hand and pointed at the team and clapped his hands. 

That moment has stuck with me.  For me, it shows that empathy and compassion can change the world just a little bit.  Because for Bill, he was able to influence this film and get his Voice heard – perhaps for the first time.

Thank you all for coming, enjoy the film and the workshop session.