This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
    • Politics
    • Transport
    • Lifestyle
    • Community
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Education
    • Sport
    • Harrogate
    • Ripon
    • Knaresborough
    • Boroughbridge
    • Pateley Bridge
    • Masham
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts

Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

  • News & Features
  • Your Area
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
  • Politics
  • Transport
  • Lifestyle
  • Community
  • Business
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Education
  • Sport
Advertise with us
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Latest News

We want to hear from you

Tell us your opinions and views on what we cover

Contact us

Register for our newsletter

Free Newsletter Sign Up

Join now
Connect with us
  • About us
  • Correction and complaints
Download on App StoreDownload on Google Play Store
  • Website Terms & Conditions
  • Subscription Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Comments Participation T&Cs
Trust In Journalism

Copyright © 2020 The Stray Ferret Ltd, All Rights Reserved

Site by Show + Tell

Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

    Already a subscriber? Log in here.

    14

    Jul 2021

    Last Updated: 13/07/2021
    Community
    Community

    Art becomes therapy for Pateley Bridge grandma with dementia

    by Suzannah Rogerson

    | 14 Jul, 2021
    Comment

    0

    Joan Thomas from Pateley Bridge has said sharing her love for art with her artist grandson has become like therapy for her. She says her colouring helps her stay calm and focused.

    james-and-joan-thomas

    Joan Thomas says her grandson James's art has helped with her dementia.

    Mrs Thomas moved to Pateley Bridge to be with family during the first lockdown after struggling to live alone. Since then she has been working with her grandson on a number of pieces.

    During lockdown, James Thomas created a piece of art inspired by his grandma called 'Isolation'. The piece is made out of discarded scratch cards.

    The pair have always shared a love for art and Mr Thomas said his grandma often recalls memories from years ago when she helped him with his art.

    Mrs Thomas, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2017,  said art helps her feel calm and focused. She also enjoys colouring herself:

    "I like going to James's exhibitions and seeing the art he's done at home on display. I really enjoy doing art and spending time with him. There's just a lot of things I can't remember but art keeps me calm."






    Read more:



    • Ripon actors get ready to raise the curtain after 18 months away

    • A local photographer took this picture of Knaresborough Castle, send us your photos 






    Mr Thomas said he was pleased with the effect his art had on his grandma's health:

    "It's a form of therapy for her and it helps her. Now she can be a part of the pieces I create from start to finish.
    "She does her colouring completely alone, even though she can't do anything else she can do that which is pretty marvellous."


    Mr Thomas added his grandma's choice of colours and style is "perfect".

    Mr Thomas is currently putting pieces together to take part in some local exhibitions including the Nidd Art Trail and the Mercer Gallery REACT exhibition.