This morning, I had the very great pleasure of attending the unveiling by British actress Lorraine Chase (pictured in the white hat) of a new mural at Carers Lewisham. This was created by the staff team there under the guidance of our artist, Raksha Patel, to celebrate Carers Lewisham’s 25th anniversary.
Lorraine chatted to many of the carers who attended the event and spoke movingly of the role her mother had played in caring for her father for ten years. She then unveiled a stunning magnolia tree with pills, bags and a wheelchair discarded at the base, and birds and butterflies flying freely in a sunny sky.
The mural was created during two workshops that we led with Carers Lewisham staff, the first of which enabled them to decide collaboratively on a theme and image for their mural – they unanimously decided on the tree to reflect the stability of the service that they offer and the growth experienced by the carers who attend the centre. The beautiful details included within the mural were inspired by the staff team’s extensive experience of working with the client group – a wonderful gift to all who visit. The outlines of the design were “chalked up” by Raksha, allowing the team to paint up the vibrant mural on the second workshop day using a “painting-by-numbers” approach – this now graces the wall at the entrance to the carers centre, providing a warm welcome to all who visit.
After the workshop, a staff member said: “I really enjoyed it. I’ve had a chance to think of ideas that represent the work that Carers Lewisham does and to paint without fear.”
Carers Lewisham is a wonderful, supportive place that offers a warm welcome to everyone. The tree that the team has created for the carers, “as an act of love”, Lorraine called it, just adds to that sense of support and welcome; and I think the images are a beautiful, inspiring metaphor for the journey that the carers travel as they use the service offered. What a privilege to have been part of such a wonderful project. Be inspired by the photos of the workshops, mural and unveiling.
Nicky Goulder, Chief Executive
This piece is from 2013.