Creative Carers: Arts programme for home carers in West Cork

The Arts for Health partnership programme has launched a new arts programme for home carers in West Cork. The Creative Carers programme is open to family carers who provide care for older people in the home and gives participants the opportunity to meet and connect with others in a relaxed creative environment.

Home Carers are invited to take part in a range of different activities including creative workshops and guided gallery visits at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre. The programme is delivered by professional artists including composer Justin Grounds and visual artist Sarah Ruttle with support from guest artists. Over time, the team will work with local community groups and health care professionals to reach as wide a group of participants as possible.

Managed by Uillinn as part of the Arts for Health Partnership Programme, family carers are able to engage in four different ways:

Creative Carers at Uillinn
Series of Creative Workshops
Upcoming series: 9 November – 14 December
Wednesdays, 6-7.30pm at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre

Over six creative workshops, at-home family carers have an opportunity to take a moment for yourselves, share in a cuppa while making, and connect with others providing care at home. Delivered by visual artist Sarah Ruttle, with two guest sessions led by visual artist Tess Leak, the workshops take an informal and relaxed approach to exploring creativity. This is a supported and creative space where each participant can explore their own ideas.

In the Picture
Guided gallery tours exploring the Arts Council Collection 60 Years Exhibition
Friday 18 November, 11am
Friday 9 December, 11am

Visual artist Sarah Ruttle with the assistance of SONAS Facilitator (Dementia Advisor) Sarah Cairns invite people with dementia and their professional and /or family carers to visit an exhibition at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre to look and experiment with others in a safe and welcoming environment. Each session includes a seated tour of the gallery where time is given to looking and experiencing the artwork and the many wonderful views from the building. Sessions might also include sharing of stories, singing, making of artwork in the workspace and a shared cup of tea and biscuit.

At Home Project
Artists Justin Grounds and Sarah Ruttle will visit carers at home, each taking a unique approach to research and investigate ways to support creative activities for carers in their home.

In consultation with local Day Care Coordinators, the artists will identify four families in the Clonakilty and Skibbereen areas who provide full time care for a family member and are interested in participating in the programme. Beginning with an informal conversation about each family’s daily routine and creative interests, the artists will visit each month to develop a shared creative activity for the family to enjoy together.

• Composer and Musician Justin Grounds will work with carers and their families at home to devise simple creative practices that fit into their caring routine.
• Visual Artist Sarah Ruttle aims to provide a space for creativity, self expression and discussion in their local arts centre, away from their home care environment.

Creative Carers Outreach
A series of once off creative art making sessions with staff and participants from various community groups including Day Care Centres, Skibbereen Luncheon Club, Alzheimers Cafes and Family Resource Centres to make a connection with people who might engage with the programme. These creative sessions will provide an introduction to Creative Carers and will seek to learn from the community of Carers about how the programme can be further developed to meet their needs in the future.

Booking and information from Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre at info@westcorkartscentre.com or 028 22090.

artsforhealthwestcork.com