About us
The Good Conversations is the brainchild of Jenn Hicks and Robin Gertin. We are two highly experienced and passionate program creators who have over 20 years experience using the arts to positively connect with people with a wide range of strengths and challenges, both physical and neurological - including many different types of dementia which includes early onset Alzheimer’s and Alzheimer’s.
We experienced first hand the tremendous value of engaging in the arts with dementia populations. We saw people laugh, follow and contribute to thoughtful conversation, dance with great animation, be both calmed and energized by drawing, painting and be eager to share in creative writing projects. We know that people living with dementia still have a great desire to learn and feel connected to their most creative selves.
In 2020, with the beginning of Covid-19, the world and special programming went virtual. We became inspired to bring our fresh perspective and depth of knowledge (see Bios below) to create The Dementia Activities for Seniors Video Series, The Good Conversations.
What makes our dementia activities series excellent?
* We model authentic relationships,
* We use an informal talk show format
* Our conversation is easy to follow, informative
* We are real; we laugh, learn and show vulnerability and curiosity.
Our values translate to outstanding content for people living with dementia including:
Authenticity - We are real people relating to real people.
Respect - We strive to engage without condescending.
Transparency - We want to show you how we are figuring it out and improving our videos as we go along.
Playfulness - We aim to hold the experience of being creative lightly so that it can be a joyful practice.
Collected Wisdom - We believe that our viewers have value and life experience so we can all teach and learn together.
Free Videos
The Dementia Activities for Seniors Video Series, The Good Conversations, are available for free on our YouTube Channel. Please be sure to subscribe to our channel and like each video so we can help more people find us and make our small heartfelt business sustainable. Thank you!
Meet Robin
Robin is a Certified Expressive Arts Therapist with extensive experience supporting groups and individuals being creative through visual arts, drama play, creative writing, music and movement. She studied classical singing at the Royal Conservatory of Music and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Illinois University. Upon graduating, Robin wrote professionally for the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada and Sick Kids Foundation. She returned to her musical roots becoming a children’s entertainer while going back to school and gaining her certification in expressive arts therapy. Robin’s arts therapy work has included professional associations with the Sunnybrook Health Science Centre with adolescents in mental health, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab, Muki Baum Accessibility Foundation, L’Arche Toronto, Addiction Rehabilitation Toronto, and Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre. She and Jenn together have created programs for the University Health Network’s Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy and are currently artists with the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto and the Bitove Method.
Meet Jenn
Jenn is a Nia (Creative Movement) instructor and Certified Personal Trainer who also runs a private practice in Speech-Language Pathology, specializing in acquired brain injury. She holds a Nia Black Belt certification and earned her Master’s of Health Science at the University of Toronto.
Jennifer's creative arts work has included supporting individuals through The Royal Conservatory's Living Through the Arts Program, The Alzheimer's Society of Toronto, Baycrest's Memory-Link Program, The Hospital for Sick Children’s Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program, New Outlook, The Residences on Bayview and the University Health Network's Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy. Currently she is offering virtual and in person programs through The Bitove Method, Baycrest@Home, Mosaic and The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She and Robin together have created programs for the University Health Network’s Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy and are currently artists with the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto and the Bitove Method.
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Contact us at thegoodconversations@gmail.com
The Good Conversations supports the Reimagining Dementia Coalition and the Let’s Reimagine global campaign to reduce stigma and promote innovative arts-based dementia initiatives. To watch the Let’s Reimagine video, click here.
© 2020 The Good Conversations
