Dear Friend

We worked with two groups based at The Firs in Claygate and Fenner House in Walton-on-Thames, both independent living schemes for those in later life.

 Some of the residents have moved into the area to be nearer their families and this project enabled new friendships within each residence, as well as build new friendships in the other setting. 

Each group worked with an artist, poet Maureen Jivani and artist Sarah Bennett, to explore aspects of life and/or creative prompts to inspire words, visual arts and crafts. Our prompts have included favourite recipes, our idols and what makes us laugh. Some of the group members have linked up with a person in the other group as a pen pal. 

We organised a special event for the two groups to meet at the end of May, some met their pen pals for the first time. 

Feedback from participants:

"Excellent project. Well structured. Fun and memorable. Staff are kind, pleasant and understanding."

"I enjoyed getting together with friends and reminiscing and the activities."