Arts at the HeART

A heartwarming project to take visual arts and crafts to older people in Erewash is to be extended for another two years . . . thanks to its outstanding success.

The pioneering scheme has seen an artist work with elderly residents at Sandiacre’s Ladycross Residential Home and house-bound people across the borough in an inspiring eight-week project.

All the activities – which included painting, embroidery and drawing - were a big hit with the elderly people, proving to have a real feelgood factor for them and sparked a real fascination and passion for art.

The project was a partnership between Erewash Borough Council, the Library Service and Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust, which partly funded the activities through the Choosing Health fund.

Now, because of the success, another £9,000 of funding has been secured to extend the project for another 2 years.

Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “This really is a wonderful community project and another great example of the Council working with its partners – this time to enrich the lives of the elderly members of our community through the arts. I am delighted that we have the funding to extend this project, which I am sure will continue to bring much enjoyment to many people.

“Those who took part in the activities have told us how much they enjoyed working with the artist and how they have been inspired by the project and found a renewed interest in art.”

A booklet has been produced which showcases the work that came out of the sessions and this can be viewed at Erewash Museum in Ilkeston.