From the success of the memory lane project on the elderly care wards at Good Hope and Heartlands Hospital’s earlier this year, the arts department are looking for more volunteers to expand the project out to include elderly patients at Solihull Hospital.

The aim of the project is to motivate elderly patients and for them to participate in simple art activities. These range from simple water colours, threading beads, and compiling scrap books using old pictures of adverts, film posters, actors and musicians.

Sessions last between one to two hours with music being played whilst patients are taking part in art activities. This gives patients a chance to spend some enjoyable time with a friendly face.

Volunteer service adviser, Angela Butts, said: “Bringing patients together in groups with a volunteers for an hour or so always makes for a stimulating, sociable and friendly gathering. This leads to patients communicating with each other, smiling and sharing memories of days gone by. 

“The benefit to patients well being is significant and immeasurable.”

If you would like to become a volunteer and get involved with the project at Solihull Hospital, please contact Sarah McGrory, arts manager, on 0121 424 0113. Alternatively, you can email Sarah at sarah.mcgrory@heartofengland.nhs.uk for more information.