Artists from 20 Swindon care homes create spectacular piece

A total of 110 artists from 20 Swindon care homes created the 96 pieces of a stunning 'jigsaw' art work.

They were then invited to see the completed work for the first time when it was officially unveiled at New College.

The piece represents countless hours of creativity, conversation and connection, bringing people together through art and giving care home residents the opportunity to be recognised for their creativity.

Local company Wentworth Puzzles are turning the Jigsaw artwork into a Dementia-friendly puzzle which they will be donating to hospitals and care homes.

The project was co-ordinated by non-profit organisation Arts in Care Homes Swindon, which was founded to bring artistic opportunities to elderly residents living in care and nursing homes.

Its mission is to promote inclusion, foster creativity, and enhance well-being through collaborative artworks that create meaningful connections between participants, artists, and the wider community.

Founder Julia said: "I created the project to show how much creativity we have in our care community.

"Arts in Care Homes is a community project to bring care homes together through creativity. The aim of this project was to showcase what people living in care homes could achieve - especially people living with dementia.

"Each year I send a section of a large artwork to each care home. In the kit they have paint and brushes, everything they need to complete it, and then once the pieces are collected I put them back together in one large artwork."

This is the third 'jigsaw' work, and they get larger every time.

The unveiling of the 10ft artwork was performed Mayor of Swindon Cllr Neil Hopkins, who said: "I have always understood the huge talent that exists in our town.

"Every week I'm going to events where that talent is showing through, but what's also showing through is the innate goodness in so many people to make things that really matter happen.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be here to open this because that's just an example of what we have in this town. It makes a difference.

"What's really, really brilliant about this it that it is bringing, in a way, 20 care homes together."
The Mayor thanked the artists, the staff and the project itself.