As part of Carers Week 2022 the Carer Support Service within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust organised an art exhibition to showcase the fantastic pieces of artwork created by carers from across the Trust area. The exhibition is being held in Bangor Museum until 26th June and is open to the public to visit.
Carers Week is centred around raising awareness of the caring role and to highlight the challenges in which they face, but most importantly to recognise the contribution that carers make to the lives of those who they are caring for.
During lockdown as many restrictions were put into place, this resulted in many activities for carers being limited, art sessions which took place zoom were then being offered to carers. This meant carers were able to take some time away from their caring role to participant in this creative activity, allowing them to interact with others in a similar position.
Carers Development Officer, Pamela Smyth who had organised the event said, “The art sessions allowed our carers to take a break from their caring role and were able to produce some wonderful pieces of art.
“We also have pottery pieces on display from a recent face-to-face pottery session that carers completed.
“We felt the artwork needed to be appreciated, therefore their artwork has been displayed in the Bangor Museum, where other carers, their family members and even the general public can admire the talents of our carers and the pieces of artwork in which they have produced.”
The Carer Support Service in the Trust encourages carers to maintain good health and wellbeing and have offered free art, craft and pottery classes over the past two years, this allows them to take some time away from their caring responsibilities to do something they will enjoy and for some, this has been a new experience to get involved in.
Also attending the event was Director of Nursing Older People and Primary Care, Nicki Patterson, when talking of the event quoted, “I am delighted to be able to attend the launch of the carers art exhibition, particularly during Carers Week, across Northern Ireland and Nationally.
“I am just blown away by the creativity and the wonderful artwork I have seen and I have really enjoyed the opportunity to chat with carers about the wonderful job that they do.”
The South Eastern Trust Carer Support Service is a central point of contact for Carers who care for someone living in the Trust area. The service provides information and advice to carers, as well as highlighting relevant agencies and teams for on-going support. They also offer a range of free activities for carers and this is available to any carer living in the South Eastern Trust area.
For more information and advice contact Carer Support:
Tel: (028) 4372 1807 or text 079 0093 6726
