Caring for Carers

Welcome to the Creative Carers project page, this project is funded for three years by the Big Lottery Fund. 'Creative Carers' aims to provide an opportunity for carers to be creative, have fun, learn new skills and enjoy themselves away from their caring responsibilities.

Over the summer Magic Carpet has worked with adult and young carers across Exeter, Honiton, Tiverton and North Tawton producing some exciting art and drama whilst continuing to provide an opportunity to relax and have fun.

JULY saw the completion of this amazing banner by carers from UNITE in Tiverton, with the assistance of Magic Carpet artist Cath. The banner involved using a wide range of art processes, was produced with great care and attention to detail and now takes pride of place at the UNITE offices.

Also in JULY Magic Carpet artists Jess, Cath and Sally facilitated a workshop and 3 group sessions at the Phoenix Art Centre in Exeter. Attended by newcomers and carers who had previously come to Magic Carpet art and drama sessions, people tried their hand at card making, mosaic, batik, fabric painting and working with clay. One carer said she enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and all said they would like to take part in further sessions.

AUGUST saw the Honiton carers group taking part in a print making workshop with Lucy, using ancient symbolic motifs. This workshop followed on from a very successful series of sessions, led by Cath and Carole between March and June which included the use of collage, clay, willow and paint.

In JULY & AUGUST we also ran 4 great workshops, led by Jess, Cath and Tracey, for young carers across Exminster, Tiverton and North Tawton. Both art and drama featured and themes included making puppets, name plates, monster models and shakers plus playing games and monster storytelling. The children interacted brilliantly, helping each other to produce creations of which they were rightly very proud. One of the Magic Carpet workers reported: ‘we witnessed new members to young carers arriving very shy and nervous but leaving relaxed, happy and with new friends’.

Taster sessions for carers of people with mental health difficulties took place back in May, and at the request of participants 3 workshops were then scheduled to take place in September, October and November. The September event involved printmaking - future sessions will introduce participants to wicker sculpting and abstract painting.

More exciting sessions are currently underway or are scheduled to take place over the next few months in Honiton, Exeter and Tiverton. Our regular groups continue - in Honiton at the British Legion, in Exeter – now at the PHEW centre – and in Tiverton at the Heathcote Community Centre. In Honiton the programme for the next period includes animation and an exhibition of work – it will be great to celebrate the work of these enthusiastic artists! We are also planning 3 glittery Christmas workshops across each of the 3 areas. These will be festive, fun and full of tinsel. They are likely to take place during the first 2 weeks of December – call the office to find out more

The Carers Groups in Honiton made a short animation film in October and it can be seen here!!