Members of the New Vic’s Ages and Stages group joined Keele University professor Miriam Bernard today for a tea party in celebration of her being awarded an MBE. She was handed the honour for services to ageing research after dedicating more than 40 years to improving the lives of older people throughout her career in Social Gerontology.
The former Keele University student, one of the UK’s leading experts in her field, was instrumental in developing the Ages and Stages initiative, a collaboration between Keele and the New Vic, and led the series of projects from their inception in 2009. Originally the project was an exploration of the theatre’s pioneering social documentaries and involved interviews with more than 100 older people about their experiences of the theatre. The Ages and Stages company is still going strong today giving older people a chance to express themselves creatively and develop theatre making skills.
Miriam said: “I am amazed and delighted to be awarded an MBE. Ever since I began my career in the voluntary sector, I have always believed that the true value of research on ageing lies in the positive impact it can have on older people, on practitioners, and on our students.
“This award is a tribute to the critical gerontological research I and colleagues undertook during my decades at Keele, and especially to organisations like the New Vic Theatre and the Beth Johnson Foundation, which have supported and enriched my work, and my life, since I first came to the Potteries more than 50 years ago. It is also testimony to all those older people who have generously shared – and continue to share – their experiences, reflections, and above all, their creativity.”
Jill Rezzano, Head of Education at the New Vic Theatre said: “Miriam Bernard is quite simply a visionary in the field of Ageing and Creative Ageing. Her ability to transform what is already pioneering research into practical and life changing outcomes for our communities is deserving of the highest honours. We are grateful and privileged to have collaborated with Mim and developed our programmes of work with her over many dynamic and fruitful years.”
Miriam continues to work closely with the New Vic as a volunteer audio describer, and the Ages and Stages group recently worked with members of the New Vic Drama Club on the intergenerational performance You, Me and a Cup of Tea.