WORKSHOPS GIVE NEWHAM’S CARERS TIME FOR CREATIVITY AND RELAX

[wendy]

Throughout June and July, award-winning arts charity Create’s collaboration with Newham Carers Network, creative:release, is giving adult carers access to high quality photography workshops. Working under the guidance of Create’s professional photographer Adele Watts, with support from volunteers of global law firm Reed Smith, creative:release is providing them with respite from the pressures of caring, enabling them to explore their creativity and develop new artistic skills and supportive relationships with their peers.
The carers are being introduced to the essentials of photography by Watts. Initial sessions in approach, technique and composition have set the foundations for creative works spanning portraiture, still life, shadow and reflection. The group’s images will serve as material from which photographic collages are assembled over the following weeks.
A day trip to St Katharine Docks and the exploration of London’s cityscape will inform further pieces with an urban and architectural focus. The collaborative programme will culminate in a sharing of the sessions’ photography at the Broadgate Tower offices of creative:release supporter, Reed Smith, on 21 July.
There are around seven million carers in the UK – one in 10 people. Many adult carers feel isolated due to the demanding and time-intensive nature of their responsibilities. The stresses of such responsibilities are evident: 87% of carers say that caring has had a negative effect on their mental health. Create’s creative:release programme provides adult carers with an opportunity for positive wellbeing by taking part in expressive creative arts workshops that provide a supportive, inspiring, collaborative environment in which to develop new skills and interests, peer communication, confidence and support.
Create’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive, Nicky Goulder, commented, “The pressures of caring can prove detrimental to an individual’s health and wellbeing and it’s therefore vital that support systems are there to care for carers’ wellbeing. We’re delighted that, thanks to funding from Reed Smith, we’re able to work with Newham Carers Network to bring the joy, inspiration and creativity of photography to adult carers in the borough. creative:release provides a space in which they can take time away from the emotional and practical stresses of caring to learn new skills, forge new relationships and have vital, well deserved ‘me time’.”
Jay, an adult carer who took part in a previous creative:release project, said, “Projects like this aren’t just important, they’re vital. People get to do something that’s purely for them, something that isn’t about what’s going on at home. I can forget about everything that’s worrying me, it’s a real breath of fresh air.”
Carole Mehigan, Responsible Business Coordinator EMEA, at global law firm Reed Smith added, “Reed Smith are delighted to be part of such an invaluable project. Our volunteers enjoy taking part in the interesting and inspiring sessions, giving them the opportunity to meet new people outside of their working environment and with the added bonus of releasing their creativity.”
creative:release runs from 16 June – 21 July


Funder: Reed Smith LLP
About Create Founded in 2003, Create (www.createarts.org.uk) has run 6,666 creative arts workshops that have helped transform the lives of 32,032 disadvantaged and vulnerable participants, mainly as part of sustained, life-changing programmes. Aimed at those who are excluded through disability, disadvantage, ill-health, imprisonment, poverty or social isolation, participants are given access to high-quality creative arts experiences that help them develop confidence, trusting relationships, strong social skills and self-esteem. Every project helps to create a society that is fairer, more caring and more inclusive.
Follow Create on Twitter: @createcharity Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/create.transforming.lives
For more information/imagery, please contact: Huw Thomas, Create Communications Tel: 020 7374 8485 Email: huw@createarts.org.uk
About Reed Smith Reed Smith is a global law firm with 26 offices and more than 1,800 lawyers in offices across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States. Reed Smith’s EMEA Responsible Business programme supports the community, workplace, environment and ethical working practices.
For more information, visit www.reedsmith.com