from Kenton Hall Care Home

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Home Comforts Project

I’m Sharon Bailey, a photographer, and artist and since last October I’ve been working with residents and staff at Kenton Hall.   Along with the arts officer from Newcastle Council, I met with a number of managers from care homes across the city but chose only three to work with.

We really wanted Kenton Hall to be involved with our project, Home Comforts, because we were so impressed by the energy and commitment of the staff to providing a stimulating and caring environment for those living here.  The activity coordinator, Dorne Dack, already provides some fabulous activities and we wanted to work alongside her and introduce the residents to some new things.

I’ve been really enjoying meeting and getting to know the residents and staff.  I’ve started to collect people’s stories and experiences and in the last few weeks have been running art workshops every week, to spread some comfort and joy along the way!

Home Comforts Project continued

As well as taking photographs and recording conversations I’ve been bringing in other artists to work with the residents.  A ceramic artist Annabel Talbot has been helping people to make wonderful birds and pots from clay and later this month a musician Gary Bowden will begin some sessions.  He’ll be bringing in instruments for residents to play and carrying out singing and songwriting for those who’d like to take part.

We’ll be sharing what we’ve been doing later on in the project so that we can celebrate what we’ve achieved and show you some of the things we have made.

The project has been funded through the Public Health’s Covid Recovery Fund, through Newcastle City Council.