Can Children's Dolls Heal The Hurt?
17 February 2010
The Knitted Character from Harry Hill's TV Burp: Picture credit: ITV/Avalon Television.
Participants will create their own doll during the event.
The Knitted Character in Harry Hill's TV Burp show on ITV is an example of a puppet currently enjoying cult status, lifting the spirits of the nation on our television screens.
But while it is well known that dolls and puppets provide much entertainment and humour for children, adults and families alike - do they really possess healing powers?
Creative Expressive Therapies experts at the University of Derby are hosting an event entitled The Healing Art of The Doll at its Britannia Mill site in the city on April 15 and 16, from 9am-5pm.
During the workshop-style event, they will explore how dolls are used in therapy to help healing in a wide variety of settings.
One of the event's organisers, Linda Wheildon, Head of Therapeutic Arts and
Complementary Medicine, at the University of Derby, said: "Participants will make dolls using a range of fabrics and materials.
"As well as using creative and psychological processes, delegates will learn how dolls can become an extension of the self. This can offer awareness, insight and healing. Through group process and learning through experience, people will learn how dolls can be used in therapy to help healing."
The activities are aimed at a range of participants including teachers, nurses from a range of disciplines, students, grief and bereavement counsellors, psychotherapists and doctors.
Workshop participants will consider how dolls can be made and used to develop an insight into each individual as a creator.
They will use art therapy and dramatherapy sessions to create the doll and then use the dolls to explore narratives and stories in relation to the roles, symbols and metaphors of the doll.
For more details and booking for the event, visit: www.derby.ac.uk/the-healing-art-of-the-doll.
Workshop cost
- £125 Standard fee
- £85 for University of Derby students (for former and present students)
For further media information please contact Deputy Head of Corporate Relations Simon Redfern on 01332 591942 or 07748 920038 or email s.redfern@derby.ac.uk.
