The attendees at the Teams and Bensham Community Care lunch clubs and men's group have made beautiful stained glass artwork over recent months.
Picture frames, coasters and place mats were some of the pieces that our beneficiaries made by hand with the help of local artist, Sue Woolhouse, who specialises in stained glass art. Sue has worked with our group several times now over the last decade to make a large piece for the local GP surgery, and three stained glass windows for our centre.
Thanks to funding from United Way UK, Costco and Greggs, 50 older people were able to benefit from taking part in our latest project and this time, they each made an item to take home and keep as a memento of their creativity and ability and to show their loved ones. Many made picture frames to celebrate friendships, some made coasters and place mats for themselves or as gifts for their spouses or children.
Michelle Scott, one of the charity's Trustees said
"The benefits of arts projects like this are far reaching. People have felt increased motivation and confidence in their abilities by taking part in a creative pursuit that they would otherwise not have had an opportunity to try. The participants who were new to stained glass art have learnt new skills, whilst our more experienced beneficiaries have been able to support and encourage their friends."
Our Project Coordinator said: “It has been lovely to see our attendees thinking up their own personal designs and seeing the pieces come to life. Because of the friendship and photo frame themes, it has prompted people to bring in old photographs from home to show their friends. This has led to people bonding over their favourite photographs and talking about their memories of loved ones. Many of our attendees have early stage dementia and short term memory is poor but during the project they were able to relax and talk about their past which brings them comfort.”
Chrissie, aged 90, has been attending the Teams and Bensham Community Care centre for 25 years. She then became one of the first 8 people to take part in a stained glass window project 10 years ago, which is now beautifully placed in the local GP surgery waiting room and the artwork is based on the local area. She also helped design and create the stained glass windows in our centre. She was delighted to be able to take part in another stained glass window project with the friends she has made at the centre and, due to already having the necessary skills, was able to show newer participants some of the techniques. This helped others to feel included, and created friendships and stronger social networks. Speaking of the project, Chrissie said “I love working with Sue on stained glass projects. This is the third time I have taken part. It is much more technical and this time it has been nice to design and make something personal to me that I can take home and keep.” Her daughter has noticed a positive difference in her mam too. “Arts and crafts doesn’t just give my mam and interest at the lounge, she has since got her own equipment to do art at home too. She now makes gifts for her friends and family which has given her lots of confidence and keeps her mind occupied. She is on her own at lot during the day when not at the centre so arts and crafts keeps her busy. Her creative abilities have strengthened significantly and has been wonderful for her overall wellbeing”.
Teams and Bensham Community Care is a registered charity supporting older people in Gateshead to alleviate and prevent the ill-effects of isolation and vulnerability. For almost three decades, we have provided lunch clubs, men’s groups, art and activities every weekday in our welcoming and accessible centre for up to 25 people each day. Our on-site cooks create traditional, freshly cooked meals and desserts as well as freshly baked goods for our beneficiaries to take home. On the last Sunday of every month, our walking group meets and travels together for walks that are up to 7 miles long, at a variety of picturesque locations in the North of England. For more information, visit tbcommunitycare.wixsite.com/gateshead.
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