Down to a fine art – Creative Mojo join Sevenoaks care home for the world’s largest drawing festival

Residents at a care home in Sevenoaks picked up their pencils and welcomed art workshop provider, Creative Mojo, for The Big Draw Festival 2019.

Care UK’s Weald Heights, in Bourchier Close, joined in the celebrations by creating works of art based around this year’s theme, ‘drawn to life’.

The residents and team members created two canvas paintings, the first one based on a montage of a Moroccan garden and the second featuring Dutch gardens at Keukenhof, which were then displayed for family and friends to enjoy.

Launched in 2000 as part of the ‘Campaign for Drawing’, The Big Draw promotes drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention, and has encouraged over four million people to get arty since its inception. This year’s theme celebrates the benefits of creative activities, especially drawing, on health and wellbeing. 2019 also marks the bicentenary of John Ruskin’s birth, founder of the Guild of St George, the charitable education trust behind the initiative.

Maria Covington, home manager at Weald Heights, said: “Here at Weald Heights we firmly believe that activity-based care is essential in supporting residents to lead fulfilling lives, so The Big Draw is a fantastic initiative for us to get involved with.

“Drawing is an accessible activity that people of all ages can enjoy together, so we were delighted to welcome the team at Creative Mojo to join us for the occasion. Art has proven benefits for older people, by offering the chance to tap into happy memories and an alternative way to communicate emotions and thoughts. Everyone had a wonderful day, and we have really enjoyed displaying our masterpieces in the home!”

The ethos at Weald Heights is based on person-centred care, which means residents’ values are right at the heart of the home. Choice, variety and luxury are built into every aspect of life at Weald Heights, which offers a combination of professional, individualised care and luxury hotel-style comfort.

Recognising the importance of artistic activities, Care UK was happy to become one of the lead sponsors for The Big Draw this year alongside organisations such as The Courtauld Institute of Art and the City of Toronto Museum. You can read more about Care UK’s national involvement here: thebigdraw.org/drawn-to-life-care-uk

For more information on Weald Heights, go to: careuk.com/weald-heights