Care home residents and school children create abstract art | News from Oakwood Court
Care home residents and school children create abstract art
This week has been a hive of activity! Residents at Sussex Housing & Care’s not for profit care homes in Haywards Heath, Battle and Crowborough, were joined by students from local schools to celebrate national care home open week.
Together young and old created expressive art using black and white paint and a variety of recycled items to add unusual marks, layer upon layer.
The intergenerational event was an opportunity for the two generations to connect over a shared interest and learn about each other, sharing stories and enjoying new company.
Oakwood Court care home in Haywards Heath
Residents at Oakwood Court welcomed students from Warden Park Academy and Bolnore Primary School, along with Deputy Mayor Duncan Pascoe and Councillor Bashar. Niblock Building Contractors kindly sponsored the event.
Tori, 14, from Warden Park Academy said: “The art was different to usual and really fun, it’s been relaxing. I hadn’t been in a care home before and I didn't know what to expect. I’ve enjoyed talking to everyone here.”
Jodie from Niblock Building Contractors commented: “It’s been a great opportunity to connect, and we look forward to the art being displayed throughout the home.”
Haywards Heath’s Deputy Mayor joined in the workshop: “It’s been a very creative and sensory activity, a real sense of community together at Oakwood Court.”
Students from Claverham Community College and Battle and Langton Primary School visited Saxonwood for a high energy morning creating art they named ‘Print paradise’, ‘Moonlit Meadow’ and ‘Beyond’.
John, 95, who lives at Saxonwood said: “I met the Mayor this morning who was good fun! Meeting young students took me back to my childhood and also bringing up my four children, I shared some lovely memories.”
Tom, 15 from Claverham Community College remarked: “I’m very grateful to have this opportunity. Everyone has been engaged with the paintings which have been quite messy and abstract, and I’ve enjoyed talking with the care home residents and asking them what they think they see in the art.”
Mayor of Battle, Councillor Barton reflected on the workshop: “Communication these days is often taken over by smart technology so it’s been brilliant to see face to face conversations between the generations.”
Woodlands care home in Crowborough
Seven students from St Johns Primary School were welcomed to Woodlands on Thursday 27th June, along with Mayor of Crowborough Councillor Matthew Street and Councillor Everett. Alan Penney and Jono Hayward from Crowborough Community Church also joined the fun.
Fred, 86, and Joyce, 84, husband and wife who live at Woodlands said: “We had a fantastic time, we really did. We’re nosy people and I love meeting people! Our children are grown up so we don’t get to do things like this very often.“
Mayor of Crowborough, Councillor Street, took part: “It’s great to be invited to an event that brings the community together, to see pupils from St Johns Primary School with residents at Woodlands, along with other members of the community. We’ve all created some wonderful abstract art!”
Amanda Hodge, Operations Director at Sussex Housing & Care welcomed guests throughout the week: “Our celebratory events for national care home open week have seen older people in our care homes make great connections with their local community.
Conversations have sparked fantastic storytelling and we have met some amazing young people who are keen to continue visiting our care homes. Many of our residents have lived locally all their lives and it’s important to us that we support them to continue to be a part of the local community.
Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this wonderful week which has brought a smile to so many faces!”
National care home open week is led by Championing Social Care who are a voluntary organisation who shine a positive light on the incredible value of the social care sector to society.