Creative new talent at Bridgwater Dementia home
The team at Avalon Nursing Home in Bridgwater has been boosted with the arrival of a new recruit, Ewa Kuwalek, whose specialism in creative arts is adding a new dimension to the therapeutic activities on offer to residents.
Activities team leader, Lisa Priddice, said: “Ewa is a natural fit – it was immediately obvious how wonderful it would be for our residents living with dementia to benefit from her skills and experience in care.
“Her contributions enable us to add new engaging activities to those we were already providing, which all go towards further improving their quality of life.”
Ewa Kuwalek has come to Avalon after qualifying with a post-graduate diploma as an art therapist in her native Poland. She has spent 18 years working in a daycare centre leading workshops for people with disabilities and the elderly, providing social and health rehabilitation through art.
Ewa said: “I offer a very wide range of activities and try to use new therapeutic methods with lots of different materials. I use felt, various paper textures, pastels, watercolour paints and many others.
“We also combine art activities with music.
“I have loads of ideas for future activities, including the use of clay, and I know from experience how these creative activities can help people improve their self-esteem, wellbeing, form friendships and find new goals for life, whatever their situation.
“Lisa, our colleague Tash and I make a great team, and we have fantastic support from our manager Jess, who is very open-minded to new ideas.”
Avalon Nursing Home is run by award-winning specialist dementia care provider Camelot Care who run other homes in Wellington and Plymouth.
