Pam Schweitzer Collection

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Pam Schweitzer has lived in Blackheath since the early 1970s and set up the Age Exchange Theatre Trust in 1983 since when Age Exchange has been a central feature of Blackheath Village life. Over the 23 years of her involvement with Age Exchange, she worked on 30 original reminiscence theatre productions and also produced many publications of memories and three-dimensional reminiscence exhibitions.

Not mere theatrical productions, Pam's work centres on the beneficial aspects of reminiscence in improving the quality of life of communities and especially that of the older members of those communities. Recapturing memories is a valuable means of supporting people with dementia and their family members and drama is an important mechanism. Reminiscence can be used therapeutically in hospitals and retirement homes for those depressed or withdrawn or even suffering dementia. Pam has promoted the importance of reminiscence through drama throughout Europe and Japan with productions, talks and seminars and is recognised as an international expert in her field.

Most of her archive is housed at the University of Greenwich and can be seen at reminiscencetheatrearchive.org.uk

We are delighted that she is happy to share local aspects of her work with the Society. Fifty years after setting up Age Exchange the Centre continues to meet a vital need in the social and cultural life of the Blackheath community.