Inter-generational Workshops with Chelsea Pensioners

young people at a workshop with chelsea pensioners.

In early October, NSI visited the Royal Hospital Chelsea and held several inter-generational poetry and songwriting workshops with local school children from Sacred Heart High School, Garden House School, Marlborough Primary School and Chelsea Pensioners. Workshops were held in the museum at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The beloved Chelsea Pensioners, in their bright red coats, shared with children about their experience with conflict. During one of the workshops, one of the Pensioners came into the room playing bagpipes. The children were so excited! Inspired by the Pensioners stories, the children created moving songs with NSI Songwriting Practitioner, Bethzienna Williams, and powerful poems with NSI Poetry Practitioner, Clive Sanders.  These wonderful pieces of work were shared in the beautiful Wren Chapel on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Many VIPs were present at the event, but as always, the children were the real stars of the show. Following the Community Roadshow, a reception with squash and biscuits was held in the beautiful State Apartments to celebrate the young people's accomplishments.. NSI very much looks forward to working alongside the pensioners for future events. Below is a song inspired by the Chelsea Pensioners:

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Do you know the feeling,

you’re about to go to war

From the books you’re reading

I don’t think you’re really sure

Here’s an army veteran

with so many tales in store

Do not forget,

The Chelsea Pensioners said

We were only seven

when the first bombs fell

Sacred heart school performs in the Wren chapel.

The gas masks and rations

is how it was back then

Women had to do more work

and fill in for the men

Do not forget,

The Chelsea Pensioners said

Do not forget,

The Chelsea Pensioners said