RESIDENTS at a care home in Stroud picked up their pencils as they were joined by nursery and pre-school children for the Big Draw Festival 2019.

Students from the Co-operative Childcare Cainscross joined the residents at Care UK’s Scarlet House in Westward Road. Together they created works of art around this year’s theme, ‘drawn to life’, drawing still life paintings of fruit and vases.

Launched in 2000 as part of the ‘Campaign for Drawing’, The Big Draw promotes drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention, and has encouraged over four million people to get arty since its inception.

This year’s theme celebrates the benefits of creative activities, especially drawing, on health and wellbeing.

Kate Stevens, home manager at Scarlet House, said: “At Scarlet House we firmly believe that activity based care is essential in supporting residents to lead fulfilling lives, so The Big Draw is a fantastic initiative for us to get involved with.

“Drawing is an accessible activity that people of all ages can enjoy together, so we were delighted to welcome the youngsters to join us for the occasion. Art, combined with intergenerational relationships, has proven benefits for older people, by offering the chance to tap into happy memories and an alternative way to communicate emotions and thoughts, and everyone had a wonderful day, and we can’t wait to display our masterpieces in the home.”