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Creative care home project helps people with dementia


By Imogen James

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Fenella Kerr and mother Brenda Kerr wearing the napkin that she helped to design. Pictures: Gary Anthony
Fenella Kerr and mother Brenda Kerr wearing the napkin that she helped to design. Pictures: Gary Anthony

People living with dementia in an Inverness Care Home have seen the outcome of a design project they participated in, run by a patient’s daughter.

Fenella Kerr, an actress who now lives in Edinburgh, headed the project which saw residents design napkins, with the support of Bringing out Leaders with Dementia.

Ms Kerr was brought up in Fortrose by her mum Brenda, who now resides in a Ballifeary care home and suffers from dementia.

The napkin with drawing designs.
The napkin with drawing designs.

She wanted to help encourage residents to do more with their days, and being into art herself, came up with the idea of allowing them to design napkins.

Six months ago she ran two workshops with the help of care home staff, where residents used quality art materials to come up with unique designs, creating a set of four patterns which incorporate group designs.

Now printed, the napkins were given to the residents at an afternoon tea event.

Ms Kerr described how the process was an idea she came up with during the pandemic. She said: “It came from lockdown and she [her mum] needed new curtains and I thought she could make her own.”

This got Fenella thinking, and napkins were chosen as they are a more practical gift that will honour the residents long after them.

Ms Kerr added: “I chose four colours so when they designed it there was a synergy and I let people meander and enjoy the process.

“For me it’s been a labour of love and now my mum’s designs are in these napkins.

“It’s about how people can flourish with dementia and building a community.

“The work is all their own and it felt like an important story to tell.”


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