In The News.....Art Exchange - Creative Reminiscence

Age Exchange - The Cente for Reminiscence Arts

For those of you who are keen to look at how you can use creative reminiscence in your work the course run by Age Exchange is a good one to do, facilitated by Linsay Royan we were given a great overview of the use of reminiscence within care environment and came away with lots of ideas and links to resources that could enhance any session, or as a carer ways in which you can engage the person you care for. 

It was surprising how effective the workshop was, and how many memories that can come flooding back when you see objects from your childhood - standard things that you either played with like the skipping rope which all generations can relate to and other items which pass down the generations. Funnily enough I still have a game called Jacks also known as (Knucklebones) from when I was younger, which you only seem to see now in memory boxes.

My Jacks from teenage years

I have also shared in my Material Mondays the crochet hooks that my mother used to use when I was a child and which I now use in my own projects.

Material Mondays - Crochet Hooks and Wool

Those who attended the course also got to pool resources and share ideas that they have found effective.  The Age Exchange venue is a great place to visit, founded in 1983 works with older people to improve their quality of life, which impacts on their health and well being.  They provide a range of opportunities that related to reminiscence using art projects, exhibitions and more.  They have an inter-generation program that has been doing a lot of work with schools, colleges and universities sharing their expertise in reminiscence, which is important for the younger generation to stay connected to older generation and see the wisdom, knowledge and understanding they have as valued members of society.

The 2 day course was well organised and informative and gave me a wealth of ideas to take forward with my own work as an artist and as a carer for my mother with dementia.  I do encourage you to check them out and see where memory lane takes you!  

Do let me know if you are working within Arts and Health, and perhaps you want to join my free Arts in Healthcare network which is updated with events, news and you could even highlight some of your own work

I love you today because - You carried on

I Love you today because

You carried on!

There have been times in your life that really knocked you for six, you could have crumbled in dispair, you could have given up, but you faced these times with bravery and now you can look back at those times as you reflect and see the gives that have come out of the ashes.

Pen and Ink 

Show some Love

Recognise that things will happen that are not within your control, but there is always something no matter how small that you can do.

Share some Love

When we focus on helping others who are having a bad time

our problems take on a new perspective.

Books - Memories of Home

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

I have always loved books, which was fostered as a child at primary school, with one of my favourites being 'The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe and Secret garden'.  We were encourage to bring a new book home every week and there would be new adventures for me just waiting to be explored and it allowed me to escape the school bullies if only for a little while.

My dad also had a love of westerns and thrillers and we had books in stacks dotted around the home as a normal part of the course.  I went on to encourage my son to read from an early age, telling him stories and allowing him to look at the pictures and make up stories of his own.  There was the occasional time when I would fall asleep mid-flow while reading him a story and he would lay there looking at me with amusement until he succumbed to the sleep and took pleasure in telling me in the morning. 

I keep offering to make it up to him now, but he says he’s too old for stories and we try and take time talking about the day.   I’ve have now turned my joy to writing and illustrating short stories and maybe one day someone will take my story off the shelf and read it to their child.

Mixed Media House collage on Wood

What was your favourite book growing up as a child, what are you reading now and how will you take time to encourage yourself to take time out if only for 10 minutes. I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

I love you today because....You are amazing

I Love you today because  

You are amazing

You are amazing, fearfully and wonderfully made.  You have an abundance of gifts, talents and abilities each waiting to be unveiled each waiting to be a blessing....go for it!

You are Amazing - Pen and Ink, Promarker, and watercolour

Show some love

Today is the day to appreciate your life, do something creative.

Share some love

Use one of your gifts today to be a blessing to someone else

To find out why 'I love you today' February Series click on the image below