Jeanette McCulloch MA (RCA) Creative and Therapeutic Wellbeing Arts
I believe that if our memory is fading or our body unwell, we can still find ways to make beautiful and meaningful things with a little help and encouragement.
I use my art training and experience to work with those who have Dementia: both my mother and father developed dementia in their 70’s, and this was when my desire to work with older and unwell people began.
I work with people in hospitals, in care homes and in sheltered housing and I have initiated and set up many Wellbeing Arts groups for older and vulnerable people in the community.
There is magic in art and there are ways to let people feel that you can achieve anything….my Art and Wellbeing sessions aim to:
Introduce a wide variety of materials and ideas Include one-to-one sessions or group activities that help encourage social and communication skills Encourage a sense of purpose Offer activities to develop cognitive skills through practical application Develop mobility and motor skills Provide an enjoyable friendly, relaxing and sociable time together
Examples of recent projects:
‘Altered Poetry’ - Inter-generational project with poet Graham Hartill, with residents in a nursing home and pupils in secondary school.
‘Turning a New Page’ - year-long project with older patients in the Stonebow Psychiatric Unit
‘Hereford Memories in Colour’ six month textile project with patients in a EMI ward
‘Wellbeing Arts’ Designing and implementing a county wide arts project for older and vulnerable people. 2009 – ongoing
I have worked in social care services for 33 years, mainly in the learning disability sector. I managed day and respite services for adults with a learning disability and complex needs.
In 2001 I trained as a life coach with a view to setting up in business.
I am currently a facilitator in person-centred planning. Seven years ago as I planned to set up my business, I began to realise that all was not well with my Mum. I could not have told you then what was different, only that her behaviours were changing. Following a series of doctors’ visits, my darling Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s on 11th July 2006. Dates came to become more meaningful after that day. My Dad’s health also deteriorated and after six months spent in an acute hospital ward, a brain scan confirmed he had vascular dementia. Life was never to be the same.
I have a passion to support and learn everything I can about Alzheimer’s/dementia. I do voluntary work with Alzheimer’s Scotland and Marie Cure as I have a deep interest in end of life care and communication with people who may not use words to communicate. I have taken part in three Alzheimer and dementia awareness-raising DVDs.
I am a member of Alzheimer’s Scotland Council and NDCAN (National Dementia Carers Action Network). Our group cares passionately about the impact this illness has on our loved ones and on society as a whole. I believe that we are being listened to by Nicola Sturgeon. The emotional impact of being a carer is sometimes hard to carry.
I am also a lay assessor with the care inspectorate as I care about making a difference for those living in care homes – my parents now both live in a care home. Making things better isn’t always difficult to do. We need time and resources and love and care to find practical ways of improving services.
Mum’s Alzheimer’s is advanced and she is quite the most beautiful person I know for she is my greatest teacher. I visit her daily and sometimes not one word is spoken yet they are some of the best conversations I have.
Dad’s memory continues to change yet we still do what we do for they taught me the values I hold dear, that regardless of labels and illnesses we all have the human rights to be treated with dignity and respect. John Killick and I are planning workshops titled ‘Restoring the Balance’. When caring for someone you can sometimes lose yourself. If finding a balance can help keep you well then the quality of care you offer can often improve. I give talks about my own experience and deliver workshops for those interested in understanding more about this illness. Should you wish to contact me I would be happy to speak with you.