Elderly patients at Heartlands Hospital have been reminiscing about yesteryear through taking part in a successful arts and crafts project.

The ‘Vivid Memories’ workshops, led by the arts team and staff on ward 30 at Heartlands as well as local arts organisation, Reel Access, enabled patients to use arts and crafts as a tool for reminiscence and to help improve social interaction.

Each weekly session had a different theme so patients experienced a variety of creative activities ranging from painting, decoupage (decorating objects with paper cut-outs) and card making. The themes were planned to allow time for conversation and reminiscence by using images that would stimulate and aid conversations about patients’ life and interests.

Helen Seymour, elderly care matron at Heartlands, said: “The ‘Vivid Memories’ project was a positive experience for patients and gave them a chance to interact in a new and positive way while on the ward.

“Many of the patients would start sessions by stating that they weren’t artistic and could not join in. Yet by the end of each session, many had created a piece of artwork that made them extremely proud of what they had achieved and gave them a sense of pride and satisfaction.

“Bringing patients together made for a stimulating, sociable and friendly gathering. This led to patients communicating with each other, smiling and sharing memories of days gone by.  The benefit to patients’ well-being is significant and immeasurable.

“The staff on ward 30 are continuing to go above and beyond in helping patients get as much therapy on the ward as possible.”

For further information about the Vivid Memories project, please contact the arts department at arts.dept.music@heartofengland.nhs.uk or on 0121 424 0113.