When voice really matters

Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a great believer in the power of story. Whenever I find it being recognised or celebrated elsewhere it brings me great joy. This week I found the soft world of bedtime stories in the most unexpected place, when I heard about the work of Storybooksoldiers. This organisation have recognised the cement provided by the intimacy of the bedtime story when a parent is away from home for prolonged periods.

Serving soldiers can visit a recording centre where they record a selection of stories for their children. Soundtrack and music are then added, before a CD is pressed which the soldier can give to his or her children. In this way a vital bond carried by the sound of the human voice and enhanced by the creative world of story, is strengthened. A similar scheme exists for prisoners who are away from their children for long periods.

There is no substitute, of course, for the real thing, and those who run these schemes would be the first to admit it.  However, when organisations as large as the Army start to acknowledge the power of story in holding families together – it would seem that it has definitely escaped the nursery.

Image: drumbeat.org