Care home past inspires art to delight its residents
ART on the walls is doing a lot for the wellbeing of residents at a care home on the Derbyshire/staffordshire border.
But it’s not just any art. Barro-whill Hall, in Rocester, has been painted by an artist inspired by his childhood memories of the building. Alan Fernihough, 66, who is self-taught, remembers when it was a training centre and social club for JCB.
He said: “I grew up in a house on Dove Lane so I had great view of Barrow-hill Hall from my window. That’s when JCB owned it and when I was older, I used to go to a disco there on a Friday night – that was in the 70s.”
“The building used to be three storeys high back then and that’s how I’ve painted it, as it used to be when I looked at it out of my window.”
In times of hardship during the great depression of the late 1920s to early 1930s, large joints of meat were cooked in the kitchen at Barrow-hill Hall, which was made into soup for distribution in the Rocester area.
Today, Barro-whill Hall serves as a much-loved, home-from-home for its residents, who enjoy countryside views from the building’s large windows.
Director of operations Dion Meechan has used two of Alan’s prints to decorate the home.
She said: “Barrow-hill Hall is a very special place and we’re lucky to have such a beautiful building. It means a lot to the residents and the staff and when you think about how long it’s been around, it’s really incredible to be part of its journey through history. Owning and displaying artwork of the building celebrates that and feels like our own tribute to Barrow-hill Hall.”
“Our residents enjoy arts and crafts and feel a sense of pride and achievement when we display their work up on the walls. It’s brilliant to have Alan’s artwork up on the wall alongside theirs.” Mel Conway, activities coordinator, said: “The prints are hanging in our communal areas for everyone to enjoy and they have certainly been a talking point. We’ve been proud to have these prints on display as we begin welcoming resident’s families back into our home again.” “Art is a really important for our
I’m glad that my work is bringing joy to residents, and it’s sparking their imagination too.
Alan Fernihough
residents, especially for those with dementia. Whether they are enjoying it on the walls or creating it themselves, art encourages self-expression and interaction by bringing back memories so they can enjoy reminiscing and storytelling. Our residents love it.”
Alan has a passion for the nostalgia of the local area. He said: “I love to create street scenes and paint things as they used to be. I find an old black and white postcard or photo and use my imagination to add the colour and some extra details. I’m glad that my work is bringing joy to the residents and that it’s sparking their imaginations too.”