HOPE
Responding to Heatwaves in the Older People Ecosystem
Micro
Main result
Theatre performances and raising awareness
Title
Play Hot hè!
Date April 2023
Objectives
To inform elderly people in a non-patronizing way about selfcare during heat
Location /geographical coverage
Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Organisation responsible for good practice
Municipality of Rotterdam
Short summary
With support from the municipality the Rotterdam Theaterworkplace Ouwe Rotten created an appealing play to inform elderly people in a non-patronizing way about selfcare during heat. With input from the Rotterdam Heat Network in care and welfare, de Ouwe Rotten created a play with five multicultural elderly types that meet around a kitchen-table. In about fifteen minutes they discuss the selfcare measures during heat, that the government advises, in a humorous way. After the play the actors talk with the public about selfcare during heat.
Impact
The play was performed ten times in summer 2023 in community centersin the city and was very well received. People who attended the play talk about the show and the measures with their environment.
The communication bureau of LifeIP (that subsidizes the Rotterdam Heatplan)
made a short movie about this ‘innovative way of communicating’
https://youtu.be/xgVuTmdJUQE. They published it in their newsletter and showed it during a meeting for other leaders of LifeIP projects that aim to accelerate climate adaptation.
Innovation
Elderly have their own wisdom and don’t like to be patronized. Information from
the government is distrusted. This humorous play by independent old people from Rotterdam delivers the message about selfcare during heat through infotainment. That works surprisingly well to reach this target audience that is vulnerable during heat.
Lessons learned
General learning points
a. The piece really appeals to people. People recognize things and there is a lot
of laughter. Gerda in particular is popular, the type who is averse to patronizing.
b. The accessible shape fits anywhere, provided the space is not too large.
c. Attendance is highest if the performance is linked to an activity in the
community centers.
d. The follow-up discussion works well. People talk to each other and are
consciously concerned with the subject. Memories come back (for example, what
they learned from their parents or the summer schedule at school) and they learn
new things; the cold cloth on your neck is especially appealing. The business leader of de Ouwe Rotten estimates that after the performance visitors will tell others where they have been and share their knowledge.
e. The multicultural cast works in multicultural Rotterdam. However, racist
comments are occasionally made. We will arrange a meeting with NOOM, the
organization of older migrants.
Learning points for locations
a. An intimate space or a room where a separate corner can be created works
best.
b. The point of attention is the acoustics.
c. Programming at a festival for elderly seems difficult when that has a
concept of 'spontaneous entry and exit'.
Organizational learning points
a. The piece has to be promoted in many places through many channels to get
attention.
Sustainability
See above
Replicability and/or up-scaling
Every country/city can make its own version of the play with a local theatre group. The Rotterdam script is available in English for inspiration.
Contact details
Related Web site(s)
Theaterwerkplaats voor Ouwe Rotten - ( theaterwerkplaatsouwerotten.nl )
Related resources that have been developed
In the first quarter of 2024 we will make a film of the play for our network of
professional and informal caretakers and welfare workers. We will also make an
instruction how to use the film to prepare for a hot summer, both in terms of
selfcare and care for others.