Andy’s art helping to improve morale at housing scheme
Entries have now closed for our health and care awards, but as the judging process begins, Olivia Scull shares one of many nominations and finds out how street art has really improved life for residents at a care home in Bristol
Brunelcare’s Colliers Gardens are proving that life can be so much brighter with a little bit of colour. Colliers Gardens have teamed up with a local artist to bring a breath of fresh air into the residential home. A Bristol street artist who goes by the name of Andy, has transformed one of the large external walls from a plain beige wall to a gorgeous forest scene. The results are amazing. Not only is the painting fantastic but the effect it has had on the sheltered housing and it’s residents is astounding. The way the wall has been painted cleverly integrates the real trees and bushes with the 2D rolling hills and blue skies to make the area seem bigger and brighter than ever before. The idea came about after the centre manager of the extra care housing scheme visited two current residents, Eleanor Elton and Elizabeth Orchard, in their home a couple of years back. They lived on the same road as Andy and had had the pleasure of watching him create an underwater scene on their exterior wall. They adored Andy’s work and recommended him to the scheme. The project has relinked the old neighbours and good friends as well as making Eleanor and Elizabeth feel welcome and well integrated at Colliers Gardens. The artwork was painted by Andy in a single day – Monday, August 13. It took him all day and by the time he had finished the corridors were filled with residents and families craning their necks to catch a glimpse of him and his work. Julie Walker, centre manager of Colliers Gardens, said: “We have got amazing areas in Colliers Gardens and most of the flats look out onto gardens but we’ve got this one area where there is a blank wall. Every time I walked past it I thought I wouldn’t like to be looking out onto a big white wall. We have four flats that look out onto that wall.” It took them a while to raise the funds for the wall from various methods such as furniture sales but the home says it was worth the wait. The residents also donated £80 from their funding. For professional freelance artist Andy, it’s all about seeing the changes his work has made to the care home. He said: “When I look around here I see flowers and plants everywhere so it had to be that kind of thing. When I see people smile, that is the point of all my paintings. They’re don’t have a deep meaning, I just want to make people smile, so this is the best thing.” Julie really sees the impact it has had on the day-to-day feel of the care home. She said: “On the day people kept going back to the hallway to keep updated and see the progress. The next day, I have never seen a corridor so full. Everybody stopped to look and commented. “It’s had such a positive impact on our tenants. It’s created conversations, created remarks, created choices. The wellbeing was raised by 1000% that day. People were coming down to look at the wall out that don’t usually come out of their flats. It’s reached out to everyone and Andy’s name is like God now… he is forever an honorary friend. ““You’ve made our year. 2018 will forever be brighter,” Julie told Andy. Resident Joan Baldwin has been admiring the change of scenery, she said: “I had my doubts because I didn’t know quite what to expect but once you’ve seen it is absolutely brilliant… I think everyone thinks the same, I’ve never heard anyone say anything other than it’s gorgeous. I was so amazed.” Brunelcare is sponsoring the Volunteer Award at the Bristol and Bath Health & Care Awards. These awards are held annually to honour those working in our local health and care institutions who work tirelessly to keep us all well. While nominations have now closed, and we will be announcing our finalists soon, there’s still a chance to buy your tickets for the event. Visit bhealthandcareawards.co.uk for details.