Care home residents draw on memories
RESIDENTS of a care home in Quorn picked up their pencils for the Big Draw Festival 2021.
Care UK’s Lonsdale Mews home, in Farley Way, have partnered with charity The Big Draw for a third year to promote the therapeutic benefits of drawing for expression and promoting wellbeing.
Residents teamed up with pupils of Rowlatts Mead Primary Academy to create a large artwork titled Reconnecting With Nature, featuring pictures of residents on nature outings, as well as handshaped tree drawings created by the youngsters.
The month-long Big Draw Festival promotes drawing as a tool for learning and invention and has encouraged more than four million people to get arty since its launch in 2000.
This year’s theme, Make the Change, focuses on the relationship between people and their living environments, offering a great opportunity for older people to reminisce about their favourite nature spots and how the environment has changed, as well as looking to the future at what action can be taken to tackle the climate crisis.
Toby Sturgess, home manager at Lonsdale Mews, said: “Even though
we were unable to meet in person, it was fantastic to work with pupils at Rowlatts Mead Primary Academy for our special art project.
“Intergenerational relationships have proven to be incredibly enriching, as they provide an
opportunity for younger and older generations to learn from each other.
“These relationships can be particularly beneficial for older people, as they can offer a sense of purpose and prompt conversations as residents reflect on their younger years.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to Rowlatts Mead Primary Academy for taking part, and we can’t wait to join forces again soon for some arty fun!”