Stockton residents celebrate £10,000 award to bring creativity to older people.

RESIDENTS living with dementia in Stockton are celebrating after funding of £10,000 boosts their links to the community.

A recent celebratory tea dance brought together residents, friends and family after six months of creative activities to help the 35 residents living at Elton Hall make vital links with their community.

The funding was awarded to the Friends of Elton Hall in Stockton-on-Tees by Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All grant.

It’s hoped the year-long project will strengthen community relationships and encouraging a more inclusive and understanding attitude towards care homes and older people.

Entitled The Outside In, it will tackle the isolation older people living in care can experience.

Supported by Gateshead creative ageing charity Equal Arts, the group of men and women in their 80s and 90s take part in weekly creative activities together with children from nearby schools and community groups.

Alison Small, manager at Elton Hall run by Bond Care, said: “At the heart of this project with Equal Arts there has been an aim to build relationships and encourage greater inclusion and understanding attitude towards care homes and older people.

“Our house keeper Trudi Clark has been key in making this project work, she is a very loyal member of the team who is dedicated to the lives of each individual by making residents the centre of this project, working closely with Equal Arts to ensure that the residents are very much part of the community here in Stockton.

“Residents, their relatives, school children and people from within the community have shared their talents and interests, learning from one another. We’re opening the doors of Elton Hall to create a welcoming, community hub where residents can enjoy daily creative activities based on their interests.”

Working with artists the group have taken part in lantern making, music, gardening, and local history sessions. They’ve also enjoyed visits out to the community working with nearby schools, museums and theatres.

Pete Ross, an Equal Arts’ artist who has been leading musical sessions with residents, added: “There was a real celebratory atmosphere on the day with residents joining in with singing and dancing.

“This funding brings with it the opportunity for people to explore their creative interests and have a say on the activities they’d like to take part which can improve wellbeing and quality of life.”