World Art Day Embraced at Care UK
Care UK homes have brought out the arts and crafts supplies today, embracing creativity with residents on World Art Day.
Creative outlets are important for all residents, but especially for those living with dementia as it offers a way to practice fine motor skills whilst boosting cognitive function. Art can be made accessible for people of all abilities and can be an outlet for self-expression, especially for those who have difficulty communicating.
Art and creativity are vital to leading a fulfilling life in the homes at Care UK, with lifestyle teams constantly encouraging residents to pursue lifelong passions and hobbies – or pick up new ones!
Over in Epsom, Appleby House regularly offers a range of creative therapies, including arts, crafts, and music. The care home’s ‘Appleby Tate Gallery’ provides a platform for residents to showcase their artwork. Appleby House was also the first care home in the UK to take part in Art Explorer, an initiative which allows virtual visits to art galleries around the world and real-time interaction with the works on display.
One resident at Appleby House who had never attempted much painting in her life but was a lover of the arts and creative processes, joined one of the home’s abstract painting afternoons.
“At first she was a little intimidated by the white canvas,” Lead Lifestyle Co-ordinator Lisa Maria says, “but as soon as we spread paint around the white space and she saw colour come alive, the joy that she experienced was infectious. She was so amazed at what she created that she said she felt liberated!”
Some residents who enjoyed art in their earlier years feel they have ‘lost’ their creative drive. Lisa Maria says the team encourage them through a soft approach to see if they can find their passion again. “We have had residents who have found a new ‘hobby’ or have found the pleasure in simpler pursuits like mindful colouring. We do not have a strict practice of painting or drawing here but are blessed that we have the capacity to do a range of practices within the arts in our creative home here at Appleby.”
Maureen, a resident at Silversprings in Colchester, has become particularly popular for her beautiful artwork she creates. Maureen uses recycled materials in the home, clay, oil pastels and all sorts of other mediums to get creative and express herself.
“I love being able to give back to people,” she says, as she has gifted lots of people her art, including care assistants and other residents at the home.
Llys Cyncoed in Cardiff is also no stranger to artists, with resident and award-winning artist Vivien Burgess holding a botanical art exhibition of her work last year.
Guests had the opportunity to view and purchase 28 original pieces of Vivien’s work, displayed throughout the home’s library, with just over £2000 being raised during the exhibition, all of which was donated to charities chosen by Vivien: Velindre Cancer Centre, Salvation Army and UNICEF, and Children in Gaza.
Her work, which has been displayed in many galleries, has won her multiple awards from the Society of Botanical Artists, Royal Horticultural Society and Ringwood Art Society. She also became a fellow member of the Society of Botanical Artists and a member of the Royal Miniature Society, Hilliard Society and Society of Limners.
Carley Hunt, Home Manager at Llys Cyncoed, said: “It was a truly beautiful day and so heartwarming to see the smile on Vivien’s face as everyone browsed her work. It is really important to us here at Llys Cyncoed to encourage residents to keep up their hobbies and passions and events like these are a great way to do that.”
This World Art Day, homes will be embracing all things creative and artsy, giving residents the opportunity to embrace their passions, or find new ones!
