Wellbeing: Creative Carers carry on creating

The Creative Carers project provided an opportunity for people from different backgrounds who care for someone with certain needs to socialize in a safe and creative space with other people in similar situations, allowing respite from their daily lives and emotions.

The facilitating artist Emma Broadhurst was a community artist who specializes in textile based techniques such as finger knitting, creating scarves, felt making, stitching, and silk painting. The group consisted of 10-12 participants who were asked what kind of project they would be interested in at carer’s events. They chose the Heaton Norris Community Centre as the location for the group.

The ladies were able to share their own skills, laugh and socialize – it was a vibrant atmosphere.

“There was this sense of friendliness, relaxation, and escapism that the participants desperately needed.”

The participants created mixed media textile pieces during the 5 week project, then stitched them together to form one big piece. The artwork was exhibited at a carer’s wellbeing event last year and the participants were able to talk about their work.

The participants loved it so much that they have now formed a self-led group and have decided to pay artists out of their own pockets. It’s an open group, so anyone can join. Signpost Stockport in Heaton Moor will be the base for the group. The carers will soon have an exhibition alongside Arc’s next major exhibition ‘Cherish‘ that celebrates women and their identity. Follow us on Facebook for updates or join the mailing list.

by Hina, Arc Volunteer

Stockport Signpost, The Manchester Guardian Trust, Big Lottery and Henry Smith supported and funded the project.