Circus program connecting seniors and students boosts wellbeing and confidence on NSW Mid North Coast

Pat Evans says a circus program at Wingham on the NSW Mid North Coast has been "very fulfilling". (ABC Mid North Coast: Wiriya Sati)

At the age of 84, Pat Evans never imagined she'd be spinning plates in a circus show with teenagers in front of an audience.

The small production was a culmination of an arts and wellbeing program involving Ms Evans and a group of aged care residents and high school students on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.

For Ms Evans, the experience has continued to rebuild her confidence after having a stroke in 2021 that left her struggling to reconnect with her friends and hobbies.

"Never ever in my life have I done anything like it, and the kids are so great, they're so polite," Ms Evans said.

"It's actually been very fulfilling.

"I'm not useless. I still can do a little bit of something."

The three-month arts program, Circus Connections, aimed to build intergenerational connections between young, Indigenous and older communities affected by floods on the Mid North Coast in 2021.

The program was led by creative aging specialist Lisa Hort, together with Circartus circus school and Wingham High School.

Empowering people with creativity

Each Friday since March, a group of residents from the Bluegum Cottage respite unit in Taree attended Circartus in Wingham to meet up with year 7 students from Wingham High School.

The students and seniors learnt how to spin plates, throw devil sticks and use hula hoops and other props to build confidence and bond with one another.

Ms Hort said the combination of storytelling, art and circus, creating a collaborative show with hand-crafted props, was key to the program's success.

"That brings this whole new element of engaging in the arts, being allowed to express yourself and be a bit silly and have fun and challenge yourself," she said.

"It builds empowerment into their lives."

Reflecting on the experience, Ms Evans said Circus Connections had helped her recover after a stroke that left her without movement in her left hand.

"[The program] has taught me: 'You don't say, no I can't do it. You just try and do it'," she said.

Since her stroke, her ability to live independently — from driving to doing her hobby of knitting — has been significantly reduced.

"I could honestly say that was probably the worst time in my life," she said.

She said building the courage to take part in activities like Circus Connections had taken a lot of effort, especially when she spent a year in hospital with a broken leg after her stroke.

"It took a lot of getting over because I couldn't resign myself to not being able to do anything anymore," she said.

Mary Maguire, who has been hula-hooping up a storm, said being able to play and share that with the children had been fun.

"It brings out the inner child in me. I think we all forget what it's like to be a child," she said.

"They've accepted us for who we are not what we are, making us feel as if we belong."

'Working and walking together'

Jill Watkins from Circatus said the program highlighted the power of circus and the arts to foster positive connections.

"I think what's really beautiful to watch, is how sensitive the young people are being with their [senior] buddies," she said.

"There's just this really gentle understanding of working and walking together."

Wingham High School student Hayden Ellis said he enjoyed learning circus tricks with Ms Evans and other seniors.

"I've been having a super fun experience interacting with older people – getting to hang out with them," he said.

The school's Aboriginal education officer Numia Meaney said seeing students like Hayden grow during the experience to better connect with older people had been heartening.

"At first they [students] were very apprehensive, they hadn't had many dealings with older people, but now when they come, they talk about their favourites," Ms Meaney said.

"They're learning how to slow down a little bit and be patient."

The program, funded by a $20,000 state government flood recovery grant provided by the Primary Health Network, was led by Ms Hort, together with Circartus and Wingham High School, with assistance from the Mid Coast Council.

Ms Hort said she would like to apply for more funding to expand the program across the Mid North Coast and would like to see the idea get taken up by others, beyond her local area.

"It's definitely something I can see would be beneficial across Australia."