Artwork helps dementia residents to remember their city's history

Clients of Berkeley House Care Home care home, in Hull, who are diagnosed with dementia, now share their home with a specially created artwork that owners hope will have a positive impact on declining cognitive ability.

Thanks to strong community links, the home was able to approach design manager and graphics teacher of Wilberforce college, Roger Waites, who as a result challenged 12 of his second year students to put forward ideas.

As manager of Berkeley House, Anne Bond, explains: “We first contacted the college, which is just down the road, last year to see if anyone would be interested in working with us.

“We wanted to design a large artwork which would help some of our residents who have dementia to remember the city in the 1960s.”

As a result, Berkeley House residents can now enjoy reminiscing of Hull as it was in the 1960s, thanks to this 5ft by 14ft wide piece by student Reece Parson.

Roger Waites was delighted to see his students take up the project, commenting: “Working with real clients is really beneficial for students as it gives them an idea of what’s expected in the commercial design world. We’re pleased to build projects like this into courses if we can.”

Pictured below alongside his artwork, student Reece Parsons comments: “For me, the mural project was an exciting and huge challenge! Not only because I have never experienced working on such a large scale, but also because of the thought behind it.

“I admired the idea that the mural could benefit people with dementia by helping to bring back memories. It has been great to add my own signature and style to this painting. It has also been a great experience and a pleasure to know that my work will help others.”

Those behind the project are so impressed with the results that further collaboration between the care home and the college is planned, as Anne Bond concludes: “We’re so delighted with it and the interest it generates that we’ve asked the college to come up with designs for another project about shopping.”

click here for more details or to contact Berkeley House Care Home