IT BEGINS STRENSALL
IT BEGINS
AB O U T
This project was made possible thanks to the generous support and funding provided by the Two Ridings Community Foundation. We are incredibly grateful for their belief in the power of intergenerational community connection. Strensall itself is a truly wonderful place, with a warmth and spirit among its residents that makes creative collaboration a joy. It has been a privilege to work here, and we extend a huge thank you to the organisers of Spearehead Hall and to the people of Strensall Ward. We look forward to returning to this great village in the future.
Award-winning charity New Visuality, led by Director Greg McGee, is known for its intergenerational workshops where young people help guide elderly neighbours with digital skills Bringing this focus to Strensall, McGee says, "We believe that the future of community art lies in the connections between generations. Our young advocates and older residents sharing knowledge and stories in Strensall is what truly enriches the community, humbling us all with their creativity and sense of fun."
THEPOWER OF
CONVERSATION
The intergenerational workshops, run by New Visuality at Spearehead Hall, focused on bringing young people and elderly residents together to share knowledge and stories The activities included the "Mind and Meals" art projects, which encouraged positive thinking and led to visual adventures for characters who eat well and have high aspirations. Charity co-director Ails McGee noted that Spearehead Hall was a perfect setting for the sessions, with top-class facilities and quietly spectacular grounds that inspired the young people in creating stories and landscapes. "The facilities are top class and the children responded to the space as a learning, creative environment. We spent time in the grounds outside The view is quietly spectacular, which helped as an inspiration to creating stories and landscapes. The young people really stepped up and enjoyed every phase of the creative process, from inception to exhibition "
EXPLORING ST MARY'S: OF MICE AND PEN
SEARCHING FOR MOUSEMAN CLUES ON A SITE THAT HAS BEEN A CHURCH SINCE 1100
The famous mouse symbol, found on every item crafted by Robert Thompson’s, has an uncertain history. The story goes that Robert Thompson carved a mouse on a church screen after one of his craftsmen remarked, “We are all as poor as church mice.”. While that particular mouse has never been found, it has endured as a trademark of quality and dedication In a wonderful intergenerational session, young advocates guided older residents through a 'mouse hunt' in the church, exploring the history and searching for the iconic carvings before learning to draw them together. Young artist Evie said, "It was good fun to search for the mice on the furniture in the church, and then to learn how to draw mice afterwards.". Mary, an older resident, remarked, “I’ve been coming to this church for sixty years and never knew about the mice! It was such a lovely thing to share with the young ones ”
A G R E A T P L A C E
T O P L A Y & T A L K A N D
C R E A T E
FEEDBACK
"IenjoyedlearninghowtodrawManga best " Ava, aged 9
"Thehelperswerereallyniceandhelped mealot, IwanttobeahelperwhenI'm older. " Kay, aged 8
"Ilearnedhowtodrawportraits realistically " Emily
"Thekidsalllovedit, andIenjoyedthe break!' Parentof 3
“Workingalongsidetheyoungpeoplewas arealpleasure. Theywerepatient, encouraging, andhelpeduslearnnew digitalskillsinafriendlyway ” Sandra, resident
“Itwaswonderfultosharememorieswith youngergenerationswhilelearning somethingnew. Theexperienceboosted myconfidenceandwasgreatfun ” Louise, resident
