A FORMER Disney illustrator has been encouraging care home residents in Warwickshire to pick up their pencils.
Care UK’s Priors House, on Old Milverton Lane in Leamington joined illustrator and author Gary Andrews for a virtual, live drawing workshop centred around endangered animals.
The session, part of The Big Draw Festival 2020, saw residents learn various drawing techniques following by a question and answer session.
The festival promotes drawing as a tool for learning and expression and was this year themed around climate change.
Gary said: “Hosting a live drawing session online was a unique and incredibly moving experience, and it was a pleasure to meet residents and team members at Priors House. Everyone can draw, all it takes is to pick up a pencil – it’s not about perfection, it’s about doing something enjoyable, and I think this session perfectly illustrated that.”
And home manager Francine Summers believes drawing helps older people.
She said: “Drawing is a wonderful activity for everyone, but especially for older people, including those living with dementia. On top of physical benefits, from increased motor skills to improved coordination, creative activities, such as drawing, can boost cognitive function and even reduce the rate of development for a range of memory conditions.
“It was a fantastic drawing session, and everyone left with a smile on their face – we’re all looking forward to getting our pencils out again very soon.”
