Care home residents inspired by Shaun the Sheep create their own stop-motion animation films

Residents at two care homes in Middlesbrough took part in an animation workshop, creating stop-motion animation films, using the same technique used by the creators of Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit.

The workshop was held by Teesside University and was attended by residents from The Gables and Ingleby care home as part of Animex, The International Festival of Animation and Computer Games, a yearly event that the university organises.

Activities co-ordinator for Ingleby care home, Christine Wilson, said: “The residents had a wonderful time during the Animex workshop, especially as they had never tried their hand at animation before.”

The workshop gave residents the opportunity to create their own plasticine characters using pipe cleaners and googly eyes to be used in their own stop-motion animations.

Animex consists of workshops, talks, exhibitions and screenings of the latest animation techniques, projects and expertise.

Residents worked with artists from the animation festival to film their characters adjusting them gradually, one frame at a time to make it look as though they were moving. At the end of the day, residents were shown how to use an iMac to show off their final cuts.

Ms Wilson added: “It was great to see the residents laughing and enjoying themselves as they created the leading characters for their films and planned the storylines for their films.

“Everyone commented on how much fun they had getting creative, and we hope that Animex will return when the festival takes place again next year.

“We always try and organise a range of interesting and original activities for our residents and these workshops certainly fit the bill!”

A special screening event will be held at Ingleby care home on 9 March for residents from The Gables and Ingleby to watch back their hard work.

The Gables and Ingleby are part of the Hillcare group made up of almost 20 care homes in Derbyshire and the surrounding areas. Hillcare provide a range of care options including, residential, respite, dementia, palliative care as well as care for people living with physical and learning disabilities.