POEMS and paintings have been winging their way to West Somerset care homes, as part of a project to lift residents’ spirits during the pandemic, and help them feel they are not alone.
Over the first three months of this year, the group is undertaking to send out 150 packs, each containing an uplifting painting, poem and letter.
Pete Stevenson, also known as Pete the Poet, said the project followed on from work people do for the West Somerset Intercultural Friendship Group and Watchet Pride.
“Normally we organise festivals, art in care homes, work in schools, to promote values of diversity and equality,” said Pete, who regularly ran reminiscence poetry and watercolour workshops in care homes, as part of his teaching work.
With lockdown last year, five artists from the group approached the Somerset Community Foundation, and received a £2,000 grant which will provide funding until the summer for the special Art for Diversity project.
The artists involved include Pete, Hannah Stevenson, Dan Marchington, Victoria Hilsdon and Ameya Ahmed-Williams.
They have created A5 pictures of uplifting subjects, including landscapes, seascapes, wild flowers and birds, and these go off together with a poem Pete writes to match the subject, plus a friendly letter in a decorated envelope.
“We are sending out a pack of ten each week, throughout January, February and March,” said Pete.
“We have had fantastic feedback. We have good relationships with care home managers and know the recipients really value the packs.”
He said some managers match the paintings to the residents’ interests, and even those who have dementia are included.
The project has been done in two phases, with a preliminary practise last year, to see how it worked, and the roll-out of the packs early this year. A further phase is going to take place after March, aimed at care home staff.
“They are often international, from Romania, the Philippines and India. We want to do this as a way of thanking these frontline workers for what they do,” said Pete.
“Covid goes on and on, and the Somerset Community Foundation has been so supportive, recognising how older people can be increasingly confused or disturbed by what is going on.”
He said the artists also hope to include work on the project with schoolchildren in the future, and will organise street theatre and a display, once they are able to.
For more information visit West Somerset Intercultural Friendship Group on Facebook.