This project involves Age UK Canterbury, Espression Arts as creative deliverer, and Kent Arts and Wellbeing. Funded by a grant of £4500 from Canterbury City Council and £5000 from Kent Community Foundation the project is nearing a successful conclusion.
The first stage of data gathering and reporting undertaken by Kent Arts and Wellbeing(Fay Blair) and Age UK (Judy Ayris) has been important in informing how best to meet the needs of carers. It indicated a strong preference for face to face activity with limited interest in online activity. It also found a strong preference for drop in type activity which is being met by a separate project – Creative Connections.
Concerns about covid and infection have reduced the anticipated engagement of carers, and initial plans to provide 4 sets of 12 creative sessions have been reduced to 2 sets of 15 sessions, plus individual support for a further 8 carers. Those engaged have been a mixture of carers, past carers, and carers and their cared for.
Participants have benefitted significantly from the sessions and are dismayed that the project is coming to an end. The needs of the clients are such that activity ought to be continued, and with Espression Arts we are investigating options to continue this valued work.
