Programme: Fingal
WHO Theme: Respect and Social Inclusion, Social Participation
Cost: 1000 – 5000
Status: Completed
Description
With the support of the Creative Ireland Programme and Fingal County Council, The Wizard of Creation, Aga Hutcheson, ran a series of Sustainable Arts and Crafts Workshops in Moorehall Lodge Nursing Home in Balbriggan, County Dublin. These Workshops utilised recycled materials, promoting sustainability, recycling, and reusing. They enabled residents to explore their creativity, promoting positivity, giving motivation, and increasing social interaction.
Creative activities can improve thinking, encourage movement, and have a positive impact on emotions and wellbeing. This workshop is a fun therapy that lets participants spend time together, enjoy a cup of tea and sing along. Using recycled materials makes it extra special and forms a valuable connection to the community. Sustainable arts and crafts classes are proven to be great therapy for residents with early-stage Dementia as they discuss the past, bringing back memories about old-fashioned crafts and reusing materials like jam jars, hessian bags, glass bottles, etc.
The Wizard of Creation delivered a 10-week course of workshops commencing in February 2024. Each week, residents worked on a new craft that they can keep or gift to their family and friends. The project will culminate with a local exhibition of the work, highlighting the important role that the residents have in the community and supporting the inclusion of the older generation.
Aim of Initiative
The aim of the project is to include older people in arts activities at the heart of their community and to allow every person in Fingal the opportunity to realise their full creative potential regardless of age or living accomodations.
Who is it aimed at
The initiative is aimed at residents of the Moorehall care home in Balbriggan especially those with dementia. The ambition is to roll this project out across more nursing homes in Fiingal.
3 Steps critical to success
- Identifying partners: Fingal County Council libraries dept, Creative Fingal, The wizard of creation and Moorehall care home.
Good links exist between all partners and this relationship was strengthened as the project progressed. - Designing and tailoring the activities for the specific residents and allowing for flexibility
- Delivering and documenting the project
3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery
- Identifying a relevant audience and ensuring that the project had significant support, particularly with the residential home staff
- Tailoring the programming to all abilities, including residents with dementia.
- Scaling the programme up
3 Outcomes / Benefits
- Increased participation in creativity for our older people in Fingal. Creative activities can improve thinking, encourage movement, and have a positive impact on emotions and wellbeing
- Increased socialisation for the participants. All residents came together to take part in the craft activities and will be invited to the Exhibition in Balbriggan library.
- Development of important links between organisations in the community, Fingal County Council, Creative Fingal, care homes and creative practitioners. This will result in more inclusive activities for the hard to reach residents in our county.