Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Art and craft experiences have been bringing joy to elderly and disabled people and helping them forge lasting friendships.

Sarah Craig, 58, runs Creative Mojo’s West Cardiff franchise, which delivers art workshops and craft experiences to care homes, day centres, and homes across several counties – including Caerphilly.

Sarah, who lives in Blackwood, has worked with people in Bargoed Care Home, Beatrice Webb Care Home in Blackwood, Abermill in Abertridwr and Ty Penrhos Care Home in Caerphilly.

Sarah told Caerphilly Observer more about the activities and their benefits and said: “We deliver arts activities and some crafts to any care setting or day centres.”

“[There’s] dignity in it,” she said, adding that participants are often “really proud” of what they achieve.

Projects change on a weekly basis and often relate to the season or calendar events – with upcoming art projects focusing on Halloween and Christmas.

Participants can work on individual pieces that can be hung in their rooms or collaborative pieces.

Creative Mojo provides “cut-out” shapes and a base image – meaning participants can have any artistic talent to get involved.

The images also help to stimulate conversation.

“All our images are designed for reminiscence,” said Sarah, who described how a recent picture of a vegetable basket brought up memories for many, including scrumping apples.

Sarah continued: “All those lovely memories come flooding out.”

According to research analysed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, there is a “major role” for the arts in the “prevention of ill health” and the “promotion of health” throughout people’s lives.

“There’s a wealth of information about how the arts are beneficial in care homes,” said Sarah, “it’s engaging all parts of you.”

This is something Sarah has seen during her work.

There are, for example, three men in one home that Sarah visits who barely came out of their rooms prior to her workshops but have now become friends.

“It’s socialisation, it’s keeping them going,” Sarah said.

She has also seen the activities help a person with advanced dementia, who Sarah comforted through the process and helped by putting the paintbrush in their hand.

“The huge smile that would come onto their face,” said Sarah, “you can see it on their face that they’re absolutely delighted that they are doing something.”

Sarah added that she would be happy to take on more work in Caerphilly, adding that if she can she’ll “go anywhere”.

Positive activities like this are vital, according to Sarah who added: “There’s such a need for it.”