‘Fighting for Life’ play comes to Yorkshire

The true story of one family’s struggle to get care for their elderly parents amid serious health challenges will be showcased in Yorkshire on 4 October.

Having premiered in 2018 at the Marie Curie Hospice in London and going on to be performed at hospices, hospitals, community theatres and universities across the UK, the play now comes to The Forum in Northallerton and is free to attend and would be of particular interest to those in local authorities, education and social care.

‘Fighting for Life,’ a play by award-winning playwright, Brian Daniels, tells the story of Jim and Joan, and their respective battles with Motor Neurone Disease and Dementia and documents how their family fought a chaotic and disjointed health and social care system to get them the care they needed.

Brian Daniels said: “The play is based on the Findlay Report which was written and produced by Jim and Joan’s family 13 years ago and has since been used as an education tool about how things can be handled better in future. It’s as relevant today as it was then and documents the challenges we could all face in older life. I am very proud to be associated with the play and with the Findlay family.”

As well as being entertaining, the play is educational and informative and aims to raise awareness of the issues, especially concerning older people. Each performance is followed by a panel discussion including a Q&A with the audience which is an integral part of the event. The performance is the grand finale in a series of events put on by a new charity to support and educate people who work in social care.

Launched earlier this month, Yorkshire Care Alliance (YCA), was set up by learning disability nurse, Angela Fletcher who has worked in the care sector all her career and for the past 10 years run Happy Future Support Specialists in Scarborough to support individuals with complex care needs and severe autism. At the Great British Care Awards in 2021, Angela won the Regional Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Care.

Angela Fletcher said: “We saw Brian’s work at The House of Commons earlier this year and we knew it was the perfect vehicle to help us launch the charity so we commissioned him immediately. Most of us who work in the care sector know a story just like Jim and Joan so I hope it resonates with all who come and see it.”

The charity’s CEO Nick Swash said: “The purpose of the YCA is to try and collaborate with everyone involved in the care industry, share expertise and ideas and work together. We have identified six areas in which people need support, and these were addressed in the events we held across the region. We’re delighted that these will culminate in a grand finale – Brian’s play. To find out more and book tickets, visit our website.”

The event is free and open to all in the care sector and takes place at 1pm on 4th October at The Forum, Bullamoor Road, Northallerton and places can be booked via the charity’s website.