“It really isn't what you expect it to be like. Just give it a go. It's changed my life coming here, and could change yours for the better too.”
- Living Well Centre Guest
Our Seasonal Creations Group in the Living Well Centre is a group for people of all abilities to create seasonal craft items or take part in seasonal activities. This could include making bird feeders, painting terracotta pots and planting seeds. These activities have benefits for mental, emotional, and physical well-being, including reduced anxiety and improved social interaction.
Sheree has been a Health Care Assistant at St Cuthbert’s for 16 years. She began working in our In-Patient Unit and then later moved over to the Living Well Centre. Sheree said:
“The guests have loved creating items each week and it’s so nice to see them form friendships and even start to help each other too. One guest was struggling with some flowers, and before we knew it, another guest had paused their own project to support them.”
“The group is so much more than just a craft group. It helps to build confidence, improve social interactions and be a safe space to talk about their condition if they wish to. It opens the door to bigger conversations and, above all, is a relaxing place to just be yourself while creating something. The sense of accomplishment after finishing a project each week is a huge aspect too.”
“For me personally, it’s such a fulfilling role. I love to research and pull together the different craft activities for the guests. Making sure that there are elements for all abilities is a key consideration. I love getting to know the guests and seeing them come out of their shells when they first come along. I was reflecting recently on some of the guests who have attended in the past and shared with a colleague that I remember so many of them and think of them often. I think that’s a true testament to how much care and effort we put into making the days that people spend with us the best that they can be. The guests mean such a lot to us, and we hope they feel it too.”
Referrals to The Living Well Centre can be made by any health care professional and the service is available to adults at any stage of their diagnosis living in County Durham.
Our care is free to those who need it. We receive some government funding towards our care, but rely on donations, gifts in wills, our charity shops, charitable trusts, people playing our Lottery or putting on fundraising events to meet the cost of providing our exceptional care and support.
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