Local care home residents’ poetry and art are on display at Basingstoke Railway Station, with the exhibition running until Friday, October 4. The collection celebrates the creativity and stories of individuals living with dementia, offering a glimpse into their experiences.
Residents from Homefield House, a care home in Rooksdown, contributed their work to this inspiring showcase. The exhibition highlights their imagination, humor, and artistic abilities, emphasizing the talents of those living with memory loss.
Rosi Pineiro, activity coordinator at Homefield House, expressed her excitement about the exhibition, which was organized by the Arts Society Basingstoke. “We are delighted to be part of this display, which celebrates the talents and stories of our residents living with dementia and memory loss,” she said. “It serves as a source of inspiration and demonstrates the amazing things people with dementia can achieve.”
Pineiro also praised the staff at Homefield House for supporting residents in creative activities that promote mental wellbeing. The exhibition aims to foster a deeper appreciation of the capabilities of individuals living with dementia.
Pat Connolly, a resident at Homefield House for the past 18 months, shared her joy in participating. “I’ve always loved poetry, but I never thought I would write my own,” she said. “Thanks to Rosi’s help, I have. With a dose of Rosi every day, you don’t need any medication.”
In addition to the railway station exhibition, Homefield House will host its own poetry and art event on Thursday, October 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and will be attended by Shaw healthcare’s CEO, Russell Brown, and the Mayor of Basingstoke.
Homefield House, operated by Shaw healthcare, provides residential care for up to 24 residents. Shaw healthcare is the largest employee-owned care provider in the UK.