Herd of hundreds hits the Lakes for Creative Age Challenge

MORE than 700 sheep were herded into Lakeland Arts for the trust’s first Creative Age Challenge.

For the past year Abbot Hall and Blackwell House’s In the Moment groups have been taking part in Creative Age, our dementia-friendly arts sessions. for older people and their carers.

Set up to provide older people and carers with creative opportunities in cultural venues the project stages a fundraising event based on participants’ creative interests.

For some it can be a sponsored painting challenge, others opt for jewellery making and creative writing.

In the Lakes this October hundreds of people turned their attention to wool creating an impressive herd of 750 sheep all to be adopted and auctioned.

Local schools, older people, community groups and hospital patients all pitched in with more than £1,000 raised to bring creative activities to older people.

Anne Marie Quinn, learning and engagement officer at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, said: “The weekend was full of smiles. It was wonderful to see children bringing their parents to find their sheep, adopt it and donate to the challenge.

“In the Moment participants came to the auction and commented on how generous everyone had been. The group really appreciated the interest people expressed about the work, and enjoyed being able to talk about how much they enjoy sessions.”

Creative Age sessions take place throughout the week at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Mima in Middlesbrough, Arc in Stockton, National Glass Centre and Arts Centre Washington in Sunderland and Abbott Hall and Blackwell House in the Lake District.

To get involved ring us on 0191 477 5775 or email information@equalarts.org.uk