Charity starts art at aged home

The local arm of the charity Life Without Barriers has started art activities at the Woy Woy Community Aged Care's nursing home, according to the Home's general manager Ms Jennifer Eddy.

Ms Eddy said that, each week through the Life Without Barriers program, people with disabilities visit residents at the nursing home to participate in art activities.

"Life Without Barriers client Christie Horton raised the idea as a way to help others," Ms Eddy said.

"Artist Ann James has developed the program with Woy Woy Community Aged Care activities coordinator Ms Lisa Coombes.

"Residents are enjoying the art program and spending time with their visitors."

Life Without Barriers is a charitable organisation with an office at Woy Woy which provides innovative, community-based support services to people with disabilities.

Woy Woy Community Aged Care, also a charitable community organisation, provides care to the frail aged in nursing home and hostel accommodation.

The program coordinator Joanne Nelson said: "We have found this experience to be very rewarding as our clients are looking forward to visiting each week".

"They are developing new relationships and it has been an experience enabling them to give within the community."

Ms Nelson said the classes had been running for a month, and included 10 to 12 participants each week.

Press release, 15 Jun 2007 Jennifer Eddy, Woy Woy Community Aged Care