Gig-Arts Exhibition inspires the elderly

The latest venue for the Gig-Arts Exhibition was the Newland House Care Home in Witney. The exhibition coincided with National Care Home Open Day on the 20th June.

Gig-Arts special needs participants from the ICE Centre in Carterton came to the Open Day where they were thrilled to meet more than twenty elderly care home residents and the Mayor of Witney, Jeanette Baker.

To the delight of the Gig-Arts participants, Witney TV’s Janine Howells came to film the event. This was a ‘first time’ media interview experience for, Gareth Compton, who rose to the occasion with a huge smile on his face. He said afterwards: “I am an artist!”

Bess Cochrane, a resident in her eighties, was also not camera shy. She was keen to give a television interview and reflected on how much she had enjoyed being in the audience at the Gig-Arts Show the previous month. As Janine Howells from Witney TV interviewed Bess, she joked that there would be plenty of willing helpers around her to assist her on Twitter!

Councillor Laura Price, who represents Witney South and Central, was also an invited guest. She enjoyed meeting the residents and seeing the Gig-Arts exhibition and commented: “It’s a lovely idea! Very freeing!”

Susi Morgan, Group Marketing Manager for Hartford Care organiser of the Open Day at Newland House said: “It’s wonderful that the young people from the ICE Centre in Carterton have come to meet our residents and see their paintings here in our care home.” 

Reflecting on the day, Abbie Cooke Co-Founder of Gig-Arts said: “It is such a joy to see the impact and outreach of this Gig-Arts Event. Thousands of Witney residents have already seen the touring exhibition – and today beautiful colourful Art has been brought to the elderly by young people with special needs – the creative combination is inspiring!”