Battle care home presents cheque to local art charity
Hazel Lodge care home in Battle recently presented local charity Drawing Life with a cheque for £1,000 to help them continue with art sessions in Hastings Contemporary and De La Warr Pavilion. The sessions which are free to attend give everyone an hour to get lost in a creative activity, the chance to meet others in similar situations and enjoy some clarity and company.
Residents from Hazel Lodge visited one of the art sessions held at Hastings Contemporary Art Gallery and after taking part in the drawing class presented the cheque to Drawing Life founder and artist, Judy Parkinson.
Judy said "On behalf of carers and those they care for we are very grateful for Barchester's generous donation which will help us continue our work into 2026. Drawing Life launched a decade ago offering art to people living with dementia, and we soon realised that carers gained as much as the people they cared for. We are a talented team of local artists, and our aim is to give carers, some of the most isolated members of our community, a social lifeline, as well as a chance to participate in a meaningful creative experience. Thank you once again to Barchester for their support."
“It’s fun,” said Lou, wife and carer for Brian with dementia who attend the monthly sessions together, “A genuine art experience and an hour when the job of caring is lifted.”
The grant had been awarded by Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, a charity that helps older people and adults with a disability or mental health problems across England, Scotland and Wales by offering grants to help people connect or re-connect with others in their local community.