What has Vita Nova done for me? Gerry Gilbert

A new bi-monthly blog where we shine the spotlight on the people who make Vita Nova great – our members. First up is Gerry Gilbert, a long-standing member of our community theatre group, a musician and more recently, prize winning poet!

Before coming to Vita Nova I was isolated, depressed and I had no direction. I felt useless and had no skills or talents.

All that has changed due to the hard work of the Vita Nova team and the support and encouragement from my Vita Nova peers. My life has been transformed. I discovered that I’m good at acting, creative writing and music.

Doing drama is not just good for my self-esteem, which was non-existent, it also enables me to give to my community and to help others. So, it is something useful and I feel I am contributing. In the creative writing group, I have faced my fears and performed to audiences at both Vita Nova and in cafes and bars and received great feedback; I recently won first prize in a local poetry slam!

As for music I write songs and play guitar. This had led to a YouTube video and a performance at Vita Nova to all members. Before I was in danger of a relapse into drugs and alcohol but now, I am enjoying life. I am not alone.

Gerry, May 2024