Local artist encourages care home residents to get creative

A local artist recently paid a visit to Trowbridge Oaks Bupa Care Home to add a dash of colour to the residents’ rooms.

Samson van Wingerden is a local multimedia artist who is going to study Set Design at university. His mum is a kitchen assistant at Trowbridge Oaks, and she suggested he visited the home as he was looking for some work to do during the summer holidays.

Samson regularly visits Trowbridge Oaks and typically spends an hour with each resident, painting as they chat about his art or life plans, and creating some art themselves.

Samson shared: “I love to see how art can change the way spaces feel. I have been exploring window painting as a way to bring out a playful atmosphere. It’s been lovely to see how this has impacted the residents, and it would be really interesting to expand on this style, working on bigger pieces in the future.”

Samson brought his portfolio of art for reference and discussed with each resident what they would like him to create for them. Samson painted an art piece directly on to the window of the resident’s rooms, and for one resident who’s bed doesn’t face the window, he painted a laminated paper to give the impression of a window-like surface.

One of the residents that Samson painted for is Eileen Glue, aged 102. Eileen commented: “I had Samson paint an art piece on my window and it was the best day I had in a long while! My artwork is of a cat in Wimbledon whites. It is a reference to the fact that I almost competed at Wimbledon; I got to the qualifying round only to discover that I was pregnant, so I couldn’t continue.”

She continued: “I love looking at the art piece on my window because it reminds me of my visit with Samson. I enjoyed watching his art process and wish him all the best for his studies at university, I think he will do very well.”

Beth Powlesland, activity co-ordinator at Trowbridge Oaks, shared: “Samson’s art has allowed the residents to personalise their space and have agency over their environment. This initiative has been particularly meaningful for our residents who feel more comfortable during room visits, as opposed to bigger group activities.”

The presence of art in care home settings has been shown to ease anxiety, stress and depression for both patients and care staff, improving morale and the overall experience of the environment.

Trowbridge Oaks Bupa Care Home is situated in Trowbridge, Wiltshire and welcomes residents in need of nursing or residential care including those living with Parkinson’s. For further information, please visit https://www.bupa.co.uk/care-services