TALES of fishing, sea-faring and the town’s famous Winkle Club will inspire a year-long project aimed at bringing a community together.

Living on an Island at Ambleside Care Home, which specialises in dementia care, sees residents exploring a raft of creative activities each week supported by our artists.

The group in Bexhill-on-Sea will take part in weekly creative sessions with their families and grandchildren led by professional artists experienced in using the Imagination Model with people living with dementia.

Prashant Navaratnarajah, owner of Ambleside Care Home, said: “Residents had been enjoying musical activities and we noticed their confidence grew, they were more engaged and interacted with one another.

“Seeing the difference it made, we were keen to do more and develop a year of varied sessions that residents’ families could join them in. What’s fantastic is that Equal Arts will be supporting our staff, sharing their knowledge to help us to continue the creative work once that day’s session ends.”

The group will try their hand at music making, gardening and visual arts with visits to Hastings Old Town carnival and local museums inspiring their work.

Equal Arts’ Lucy Groenewoud said: “Living in a care home can feel like living on an island with a sense of being alone. Exploring your creativity together and learning alongside one another can really help reduce loneliness and build that sense of being a part of a community.

“There’s a real enthusiasm from all those at Ambleside to get started and get involved. Sharing ways creativity can support communication for people living with dementia will further benefit staff, residents and their families.”

Awards for All have funded the year-long project supporting The Amblers’ Friends of Ambleside Care Home group.

The residents and relatives also enjoy being part of HenPower, a pioneering initiative combining hen-keeping and creativity to improve wellbeing and reduce isolation.