cARTrefu project launch
Published on 03 February 2015 03:30 PM
A pioneering Barry nursing home was the venue on 29 January for the launch of a project that will bring the arts to care homes across Wales.
College Fields Nursing Home hosted the unveiling of the cARTrefu - a participatory arts activity project in care homes for older people.
cARTrefu is funded by the Baring Foundation and with a Lottery award made by Arts Council of Wales to Age Cymru.
The project will be managed by Age Cymru and involve almost £350,000 worth of activity.
cARTrefu will engage 16 artists to deliver a wide range of arts based workshops within care home settings over the next two years.
Each artist will receive ongoing support from a mentor and will work with care staff to encourage the use of art within home life.
cARTrefu is run by Reg Noyes - Age Cymru's cARTrefu project coordinator.
Gwenda Thomas AM, Deputy Minister for Social Services, said:
"It is wonderful to see a major award of funds coming to Wales from the Baring Foundation and for this to have been matched by Lottery funding from the Arts Council of Wales.
"This money will enable the delivery of all-important arts activities within care home settings across Wales, and I will look forward to hearing how the project progresses."
David Cutler, Director of the Baring Foundation, said:
"The Baring Foundation is delighted to be working with the Arts Council Wales and Age Cymru on a truly significant project to improve the experience of such a large number of residents in care homes as well as engaging artists with a new audience."
Dai Smith, Arts Council of Wales Chair, added:
"The Arts Council of Wales is delighted to be launching this new initiative, and hugely grateful to the Baring Foundation for its interest in supporting a project in Wales that stands to make a real impact on older people's access to arts activities."
Dr Bernadette Fuge OBE, Chair of Age Cymru, commenting on the partnership project said:
"This project compliments our highly regarded My Home Life Cymru programme, Age Cymru's scheme to promote quality of life in care homes.
"Age Cymru promotes and encourages access by older people to the arts via its much-praised annual Gwanwyn Festival, which takes place around Wales each May.
"We are truly delighted to have been asked by the Arts Council of Wales and the Baring Foundation to deliver this important pilot project."