A group of organisations, artists and young people in Pontypridd have come together to support older residents shielding or living in isolation by bringing them a crafted Window Box, packed with creative ideas to keep them busy and connected to their community during lockdown.
Window Boxes for Wellbeing is an initiative by Rhondda Ward Old Age Welfare & Citrus Arts, which aims to support residents of Pontypridd who are shielding or may be suffering due to isolation during the COVID-19 crisis.
Supported by the Lottery Community Fund, Rhondda Cynon Taff Covid Community Activities grant, Interlink ICF Older persons grant & Cwm Taff Health Board, Pontypridd Library and teams of local artists and volunteers have come together to create and deliver a free fortnightly parcel filled with books, puzzles, gardening supplies and various arts & crafts activities. Parcels include all the materials and supplies needed, so residents can get going straight away.
Over the last two months 15 residents have already benefitted from the fortnightly delivery by volunteers, with creative ideas from local children through to established authors, artists, set designers and poets. There’s even a ‘Yardening’ scheme for residents to grow seedlings which will then be put in planters that have been specially built around the neighbourhood.
Pontypridd based community arts and circus touring company, Citrus Arts who initiated the scheme along with Rhondda Ward Old Age Welfare, wanted to bring their local community together, support older residents as well as develop creativity through these unprecedented times.
Bridie Doyle and James Roberts said, “We share our Company home with Rhondda Ward Old Age Welfare Association and know how many of the local residents are unable to leave their homes currently and live alone. We wanted to support them, provide hope and opportunity to connect while socially distancing. It’s been a wonderful thing for everyone to come together on. We love to hear from the older residents what they’ve enjoyed creating; the joy its brought them during these times of isolation. We’ve enjoyed hearing how they never realised how many talented artists live locally”
Some of the artists involved in the project include children’s author Mike Church; Poet Mab Jones, theatrical set designer Anne Marie Hainsworth who works on major West End shows, local print artist Catrin Doyle, and local Ceramicist Rosalind Pett-Chicken who makes stunning work from her family home she’s branded as ‘Chickens Coop’.
The Window Box initiative is open to any adults who live in the Pontypridd area, and are shielding or self-isolating. To apply please visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NGDRLGY
At present nominations are open to Pontypridd area residents only and priority will be given to the elderly, people who are shielding for medical reasons and victims of flooding.
Closing date for nominations – Friday 24/07/2020.
