West Suffolk College students create vibrant seaside artwork for care home residents

Company news

Aug 02, 2013

Artistic students from West Suffolk College have created some vibrant seaside themed pictures and decorations as a work experience project with Care UK at Glastonbury Court in Bury St Edmunds. Care UK’s manager at the care home, Jacqui Trnecka, with input from the residents, gave a brief to the students to brighten up an atrium area to help older residents with dementia enjoy a seaside-themed space.

The project was completed as part of an eight-week Youth East course for 16-18 year-olds who have left school or college and are not in education or work. The course, which is funded by the European Social Fund, aims to help the young people discover their career interests and strengths and improve their motivation and skills.

Debbie Champness-Wallis, Course Leader, says: “The young people are proud of their work and coming into Glastonbury Court on several occasions, where they have met residents and worked with the Care UK team, has built their confidence and given them valuable work experience for their CVs. All of them are progressing onto full time college courses in September.”

West Suffolk College’s relationship with Care UK has also involved another group of students on a Life Skills course getting involved in a project to plant up flowers in large planters for the residents to enjoy this summer. Some of the green-fingered residents are staying involved by helping to regularly water and dead-head the plants.

Jacqui Trnecka, Care UK manager at Glastonbury Court, says: “We have been delighted to welcome the students who are all well-behaved and have brought a sparkle to the home. The residents have thoroughly enjoyed having a role in the projects too.”

Care UK and West Suffolk College are keen to develop the relationship further and provide further opportunities for young people to develop their interests and experience. Meanwhile Friends of Glastonbury Court has supported the projects by making donations to cover the costs of the artwork materials and the summer plants.

For further information see www.careuk.com/suffolk