One woman's brave crusade to reach out and touch others
By Jayne Warren - 06/07/2007
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For the last ten years the charity Touch Trust has been working hard to reach out to people locked in their own private world, where communication and participation in human activities and expression are supremely difficult. From the isolated and elderly to children and young people with autism, Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy and other profound disabilities, founder Dilys Price, OBE has touched them all.
Ms Price's enduring inventiveness and commitment to her work is perhaps best summed up by her actions: she celebrated her 75th birthday last month by taking part in a sky dive to raise £10,000 towards a foundation of a Touch Trust College in Cardiff. In fact, it was her 1,050th sky dive. No quiet nights in knitting for this dynamic woman, who has become increasingly alarmed over recent years at how difficult it has become for care and health professionals to show any kind of soothing, comforting or caring touch to those in their ward for fear of litigation.
Touch Trust was formed in 1997 and is one of seven resident companies based at the Wales Millennium Centre. Through the sustained use of touch, movement, colour and music, and in an atmosphere of unswerving encouragement, potential is recognised, developed and celebrated. Minor - and sometimes even major - miracles are seen every day. And the demand for its services is growing faster than its current facilities or means can support. Dilys, who once taught rugby legend Gareth Edwards how to dance, said: “It sometimes takes a while, but it always, always works. And carers frequently say to me: 'This is wonderful, because it gives us permission to touch those in our care as part of your session.' You see, both the carers and the patients get de-stressed by touch - it's entirely reciprocal.
A typical Touch Trust session is led by a trained leader and involves relaxation through touch, massage and personal interaction and an exploration of sounds, movement and dance using a variety of music and lighting to create a joyful, enlivened and positive atmosphere.
Dilys found that those suffering from Parkinsons and dementia especially benefitted. "Their sleep patterns in particular, got much better. In one hospital, working with patients with severe illnesses, the matron of another ward came to me and asked whether we could do evening sessions with those who had Parkinsons and dementia. She had seen the effects on the other patients, you see, including cancer patients - so we'd developed a bit of a reputation. I want to go into old people's homes, and create a ritual hour for them, where they can touch and be touched. Creating that special space makes it respectable and safe. I tell them 'This is our time, and your time' and they love it!"
Dilys' wish to work in old people's homes arose from a distressing personal experience: "I was out one evening and fell over in a restaurant. Even though there were people only three feet away, no-one came to help me - which I found so strange - until I realised they they were afraid of potential litigation. One person did manage to say 'are you alright?' And I said 'of course not!'. But it made me think long and hard. I mean, if the children of refugees are dying through lack of touch and physical isolation - what about the thousand of old people, either living alone or in isolated conditions in care homes? Just a touch on the arm or a reassuring stroke on their head can make such a difference."
Jeni Willey, a volunteer for Touch Trust said: “It is very difficult to imagine how touch therapy affects people until you have actually been in the room and experienced it. As the session progressed I could feel all the tension draining out of me, and instead I felt warm, secure and incredibly happy - and I was supposed to be there to help!"
Touch Trust currently works with 80 disabled children and adults on a weekly basis, and is aiming to raise £10,000 towards a foundation of a Touch Trust College in Cardiff. If you can help in any way, or want to find out more about their work, call the charity directly on 02920 635 660 or visit www.touchtrust.co.uk.