Artist to deliver new carers project
A LOTHIANS artist will head up an art initiative for unpaid carers in Musselburgh.
Juliana Capes has been appointed by charity Art in Healthcare (AiH) to run its Caring Spaces project.
A multi-disciplinary visual artist and filmmaker, in this new role Juliana will lead monthly in-person and online sessions offering participants some respite from their day-to-day caring responsibilities with a safe and relaxed space to learn about and develop their art while building peer support.
Along with her artistic pedigree, Juliana brings direct experience to the role as a parent carer of two children with intellectual disabilities.
Caring Space is a project delivered in Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Leith and online which AiH has developed over several years with VOCAL (Voice of Carers across Lothian).
In Musselburgh, the workshops, in partnership with Carers of East Lothian, take place on a monthly basis at Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre.
Juliana said: “I’m delighted to bring my own experiences, both as an artist and as a parent carer of two children with additional support needs, to help the participants maximise the wonderful experience this programme has to offer.”
Jeanne Marie Lee, carer training officer, VOCAL Edinburgh, added: “It is incredibly exciting to have Juliana joining us in this programme to inspire and delight the group with her ideas.”
Iona McCann, associate director (communities), Art in Healthcare, said: “Working with someone with lived experience of caring was incredibly important to us as she has a deep understanding of the challenges unpaid carers face.”