16 October 2018

BTO to support art workshops for residents at Hillside View Care Home, Paisley.

BTO Solicitors LLP has announced it will be supporting art workshops for residents at Hillside View Care Home in Paisley this autumn.

BTO sponsored an Art in Healthcare fundraising exhibition at the Arusha Gallery in Edinburgh in June 2018, including a ‘dementia friendly’ tour, and also supported the installation of 27 works of art from the Art in Healthcare collection to create a homely atmosphere for the residents at Hillside View and to inspire their creativity.

Art in Healthcare is a charity which transforms Scottish healthcare settings with its extensive art collection, supports artists and provides art workshops in a wide range of care environments. A current focus of Art in Healthcare is the development of its services for people affected by dementia.

Margaret O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of Art in Healthcare, commented:

“Most people with a dementia diagnosis will experience memory difficulties and problems with thinking. Their needs will change as their disease progresses and their loved ones and carers will be affected by this change too. Everyday skills can be affected, such as cooking and driving, and the opportunity to develop some new skills through art can have a really positive impact on self-esteem.”

In preparation for the art workshops at Hillside View Care Home, Jen Bradley, a visual artist and visual arts facilitator, alongside Margaret O’Connor, recently ran art sessions at BTO’s Edinburgh and Glasgow offices to let BTO’s volunteers explore various art materials, such as watercolour pencils, paints and mono-printing techniques. The aim of these taster workshops was to introduce those who are new to art materials and to encourage those who are already familiar with them. A number of BTO personnel who have experienced these taster sessions will assist at the Hillside View art workshops that are scheduled to take place this autumn.

Art in Healthcare serves the whole of Scotland and feedback from patients, residents and staff has shown that displays of art make a real difference, impacting positively on their general health and wellbeing. Taking part in art activity will add further to this benefit by providing an opportunity for the care home residents to explore and develop their creativity.

BTO Partner, Lesley Gordon, who sits on the board of Art in Healthcare, said:

“Most people know someone, perhaps a relative or a friend, affected by dementia. We asked our team if they could spare some time to assist at these art workshops and were overwhelmed by the positive response.

“We are very much looking forward to assisting Art in Healthcare and the residents at Hillside View Care Home over the coming months.”