Pockets Full of Positivity
Working with Care Home Services across the Shetland Isles, Christina Inkster invited Service Users to participate in her Culture Collective project: ‘Pockets Full of Positivity’.
From her role as a Community Social Care Worker - and from her experience of working during the COVID-19 pandemic as a frontline worker - Christina curated the project tailored to support the service and the community, providing social and creative opportunities to: older people, people living with additional support needs, mental health conditions and dementia.
Handkerchiefs of Belief
During relaxed social group sessions, Christina supported participants to consider, design and construct a message of life advice from the life experienced, decorated with motifs and appliqué of their choosing.
The handwriting and drawings of each participant were delicately traced upon each handkerchief with accuracy to maintain their authentic artistic expression.
Below are some examples of participants work:
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their experience of making big life decisions.
Their life advice is:
“Follow your heart.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who lives with communication barriers and uses expression of song to communicate.
Their life advice is:
“Sing the songs that your heart speaks.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their experience of working as a Nurse and raising a family.
Their life advice is:
“Make the most out of what you have got.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their memories of growing up within a blended family on a working croft.
Their life advice is:
“Many hands make light work.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person living with a visual impairment who wished to share imagery from reflections upon their childhood of living by the edge of a loch full of trout, frequented upon by generations of swan.
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their memories of providing full time care for a family member.
Their life advice is:
“Make time for the things that bring you joy.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their experience as a Headteacher.
Their life advise is:
“Stay calm and be the glue that keeps everything held together.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their memories of working as a “handy man” in between jobs throughout their life.
Their life advice is:
“Have fun! (Don’t take life seriously). Jack of all trades (master of none but better than master of one).”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their memories of working growing up in the family home they still live in today.
Their life advice is:
“Family is very important. You can’t do without them.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their experience of independence, developing and living with health conditions and growing older.
Their life advice is:
“Everybody needs help from time to time.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by two people - two friends - who were supporting each other with grief following the recent death of one of their life partners.
Their life advice is:
“It’s your journey… Follow your path…”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their experience of community living.
Their life advice is:
“Take people as they come.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their experience of the balancing act of self care and taking care of others.
Their life advice is:
“Look after everyone. Take care of yourself.”
This Handkerchief of Belief was made by a person who wished to share life advice from spoken reflections upon their experience of dreams, ambition and drive.
Their life advice is:
“Take risks… And persevere....”
Project Reflections
The project took pace during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All of the Care Home Services in Shetland were invited to participate in the project.
Unfortunately due to ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns, restrictions and impacts on services throughout the duration of the project, Christina Inkster was only able to co-create with 3 of the Care Homes.
Some participants have sadly since died and are greatly missed.
The following are some of the unfinished Handkerchiefs of Belief:
The project intended to culminate with the creation of a large-scale interactive and collaborative artwork, with each participants Handkerchief of Belief belonging to its own ‘Pocket of Positivity’.
Touring the Care Homes of Shetland before being exhibited in a public space, the artwork was to serve as a vessel of communication during COVID-19, sharing the voices and identities of the most isolated people with the public.
Artist’s illustration of the intended project outcome.
Funded by Scottish Government emergency COVID-19 funds through Creative Scotland, Culture Collective is a pilot programme which will establish a network of creative practitioners, organisations and communities, working together to create a positive difference locally and nationally in response to COVID-19.