Dr Hills Casebook - blog 7

The seventh instalment of Robert Fairclough’s blog about the Change Minds project which unites history, mental health, creative writing and theatre.

 There was an end of term feeling to our last meeting of 2020, exemplified by Becky wearing a ring of Christmas lights. Discussion ranged from haircuts, to risqué jokes, to the latest punitive COVID restrictions. It had been a tough year, everyone agreed, but you could tell from the sense of camaraderie and shared experiences that, for its members, Dr. Hills’ Casebook had been integral in helping to weather the pandemic storm.

 COVD-19 has, however, affected the shape of the project. The play about the Norfolk County Asylum that Bel’s writing won’t now be toured around the county, because so many theatres remain closed and, unhappily, that looks set to be the case for the foreseeable future. The decision has been taken to film the play in the manner of a ‘livestream’ event (like productions at the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe), with the camera “moving around the space in a way you just can’t experience when you see a play.” This approach means that the project as a whole will now have more longevity, with screening and Q and As planned as far ahead as next October. This is another example of the Dr. Hills’ Casebook team’s ability to turn a frown upside down.

Other positive news was Richard Johnson revealing that he might be writing a book about Dr Hills and his hospital, based on the staggering amount of diligent research he’s done. We also talked about issuing a collection of ‘creative response’ writings – in what form we don’t yet know – based on the research we’ve done into the asylum’s patients. Bel summed up the importance of this aspect of the project by saying, “We’ve been talking about these people and saying their names… When they come to life in the script, the emotion and the connection overwhelms you.”

The philanthropy pioneered by Dr Hills has been fitfully seen since the 19th century. Darren revealed that Northgate hospital in Great Yarmouth was led by two mental health practitioners in the late 1990s who did some exemplary work, implementing preventative therapeutic approaches to crisis and in-patient care. Unfortunately, the growth of such provisions was thereafter diluted by the need for NHS Trusts to respond to financially resource driven service models.  

More recently, in Bungay, home of the Fisher Theatre, UpShoot Theatre’s community groups have been established to involve people in theatre arts-based activities, contributing to peoples wellbeing and reducing isolation and loneliness.

 In terms of the local area, this humane and progressive approach to mental health care arguably began with Dr. Hills. The project named after him continues that tradition, the very acts of research and participation for its members being therapeutic in themselves. Darren summed up the essence of Dr. Hill’s Casebook when he said, “It’s because of this group of people that the Norfolk County Asylum’s story is going to be told. That’s a real achievement.”

 Which seems an appropriate place to wish one and all a (hopefully) COVID-free 2021. :-)

'Robert Fairclough writes on a variety of subjects, including mental health and popular culture (sometimes both at once). He has written six books, contributes to magazines and websites, and writes regular blogs for The Restoration Trust. He can be contacted on robmay1964@outlook.com, and his website can be viewed at www.robfairclough.co.uk '