Muse for famous painting inspires Thorrington care home’s creativity

Home news

Nov 15, 2019

A drawing session took place at a local care home, inspired by a resident who was the muse for several famous paintings in her younger years.

92-year-old Sonia Redway, a resident at Care UK’s Silversprings, on Tenpenny Hill, was the subject of several of Stanley Spencer’s famous works of art, which are currently displayed all over the country.

Sonia, who was born in High Wycombe in 1927, moved to Cookham, where she became friends with Stanley and his daughters. Sonia enjoyed the arts growing up, and had singing lessons at the Royal College in Kensington. Still enjoying singing and poetry, Sonia now spends much of her time listening to music. 

Sonia’s exciting and creative past was uncovered by the home’s lifestyle team, who work with residents to put together life story books, detailing important aspects of their identity from family history, to hobbies and interests.

As part of The Big Draw Festival 2019, children, from Little Pals Nursery, joined Sonia and residents at Silversprings to create an artistic timeline of Sonia’s life. The timeline included some of her favourite things, such as her love for animals.

Sonia said: “I am extremely proud of being the subject of Stanley’s art, as he was a very kind and talented man. As a lover of the arts, it was fantastic to be the inspiration for Silverspring’s participation in The Big Draw Festival 2019, and it was wonderful to share my childhood memories with the youngsters from Little Pals Nursery.”

Donna Cousins, home manager at Silversprings, said: “Sonia is a happy and well-loved resident here at Silversprings, and she was delighted to be the subject of yet another piece of art.

“Here at Silversprings we firmly believe that activity based care is essential in supporting residents to lead fulfilling lives. 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.

“Everyone had a wonderful day, and we can’t wait to display our masterpiece in the home!”

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.

Recognising the importance of artistic activities, Care UK was happy to become one of the lead sponsors for The Big Draw this year alongside organisations such as The Courtauld Institute of Art and the City of Toronto Museum. You can read more about Care UK’s national involvement here: thebigdraw.org/drawn-to-life-care-uk

Silversprings is a modern care home set in attractive grounds and designed to support residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives. It provides residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care

For more information about the event, please call customer relations manager, Rana Kolivand, on 01206 807 551, or email rana.kolivand@careuk.com

For general information about Silversprings, please visit careuk.com/silversprings

To find out more about the Big Draw festival, please go to thebigdraw.org