Know Your Neighbourhood Brushstrokes and Banter 

This autumn, Wentworth Castle Gardens launched their latest phase of Know Your Neighbourhood. Brushstrokes and Banter is a project engaging vulnerable adults with multiple complex needs in partnership with BIADS Dementia Support group, NHS Stroke Recovery group, Weavers Court Sheltered Housing, Culture Companions group, Bolton on Dearne Natter Friendship group and Hoylandswaine Friendship group.  

Creative health activities inspired by the heritage and nature of Barnsley Museums sites are delivered with vulnerable, socially isolated and lonely people in mainly rural areas across Barnsley. A supportive community environment is provided at Wentworth Castle Gardens, Experience Barnsley Museum, Cooper Gallery and the care group venues. The selection of the museum site is decided in consultation with each group. Museum day trips with tours, volunteer talks and activities are enjoyed alongside the regular artist led sessions. Refreshments and a warm space are provided to allow the group to share stories and chat about the day trip experience.  

“This place is so beautiful, I’m going to get my daughter to bring me again. I’ve only just joined this group a week ago after losing my husband, not really wanted to leave the house since I lost him.”  Margaret 78   

“This morning was simply a joy! I’m still buzzing…It was fabulous and gave me the confidence to have a go at something different personally and to experiment on the ward with a user-friendly activity which could be done easily and with minimal financial outlay. I’m so looking forward to next month and learning more.”  Gill, Life After Stroke NHS Coordinator 

The project is exploring a sustainable model where care workers and volunteers have training to equip them with the skills and confidence to deliver creative health activities independently. Mentoring sessions will also support an early-career artist and a young person starting their arts and heritage journey. 

A full day upskilling session will bring all volunteers/carers together to celebrate new skills and learn further skills to address gaps identified during the project. The event will be opened to non-participating support services. Museum professionals will also share pathways for further participation through volunteering, ‘Museum in a Box’ resources and the community access scheme ‘Out and About’ at Wentworth Castle Gardens. This is a networking and consultation opportunity to inform the potential of a sustainable support network.   

The project will culminate in an exhibition of participants artwork in Cooper Gallery. A celebration day will invite all the groups to the gallery, to be inspired by each other’s achievements and share experiences over lunch. All the artworks from the project will be professionally presented for the groups to take to their care venues where they will be permanently displayed. The exhibition pieces will also return to the participants venues as a reminder of the positive benefits of creative health activities and to inspire future aspirations.