The Friends have recently provided a grant of £4,440 to Arts Together for its Wellbeing Service in Marlborough and Pewsey.
Since 2000, Arts together have worked with frail older people in rural Wiltshire, providing up to 6 stimulating art projects spread over 30 sessions each year. The Wellbeing Service provides essential support in Marlborough and Pewsey to its members – aged between 79 and 92 years old – so that they are able to attend and participate – and also enjoy a home-cooked nourishing meal together.
As Arts Together manager, Karolyne Fudge Malik, explained to the Friends:
“We aim to improve health and wellbeing and combat the damage caused by isolation and long periods of loneliness which include loss of confidence and self-esteem, reduced mobility, depression, increased confusion and risk of falls and reduced life expectancy. We aim to provide the interest, stimulation, companionship, fun and sense of purpose which are otherwise missing from our members’ lives. As a result, members tell us they feel part of a supportive community and feel more confident to make their own choices and take an active role. With confidence renewed they feel better able to cope with issues in daily life that had threatened their independence. Our services are not time-limited as we know that older people forced to return to a solitary life would soon deteriorate mentally and/or physically. As their needs change we adjust our support accordingly and we are proud that so many choose to attend till the end knowing that they are safe and among friends.
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“We believe that older people with complex needs still have skills, gifts and a desire to carry on learning if enabled to do so. We train our artists and group volunteers to understand members’ conditions and to find ways to overcome physical and mental barriers to complete participation. They make adaptations to tools and techniques and ensure that members have aids to ease their conditions eg there are table top easels so that people with arthritis in their necks and spines do not have to lean forward and for someone who has panic attacks there is a separate table when needed. Volunteers slowly and clearly re-explain and demonstrate artist’s instructions to those with hearing loss, learning difficulties or memory problems. Members are encouraged to interpret projects in their own way using their individual skills, insights and experiences. In daily life they have few opportunities to choose how they will spend their day, but in their groups they take on active roles – filling registers, clearing up, bringing in materials for projects or small treats to share. They have a new sense of purpose.”
It was recently reported in the local media that Arts Together was on the brink of closure due to lack of funding. The grant from the Friends will enable the Wellbeing Service for Marlborough and Pewsey – and a vital component of the Arts Together service – to keep running for another year.
