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Ross project gets creative to help people ride out the coronavirus crisis; Creativity In Care looks to boost resilience and help folk stay afloat


By Hector MacKenzie

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A CREATIVE project to help people in Ross-shire ride out the coronavirus crisis storm is set to be launched.

Invergordon-based community interest company, Creativity In Care, aims to reduce stress and increase resilience at one of the most challenging periods many people have faced.

Requests have been coming in to the group from people around the Highlands experiencing anxiety about the pandemic looking for a programme to help feel more able to cope.

The team has brought been able to draw on a lot of experience in using creative strategies researched over several years to reduce stress and increase resilience.

Its new programme, funded by the National Lottery, – an acronym for Because U Owe Yourself A Nice Creative Year. It promises an uplifting programme exploring a variety of fun and useful techniques.

Director, Karrie Marshall ,said: “It’s about finding a place of balance and being able to ride the storm, like a sea buoy, which, even in the strongest of waves remains anchored to its centred point, and can stay afloat.”

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland chairman, Kate Still, said: “In these uncertain times our priority is to ensure that National Lottery money continues to flow to charities, voluntary sector organisations and grassroots groups." The "important project" will "support people now and in the future when they can physically come back together to make great things happen in their community".

It is open to 30 people living with long-term conditions, carers and those who can identify with feelings of anxiety and a desire to self-balance.

The group has spent the last seven months making over 600 creative ‘six-week-workshops-in-boxes’, posted to families around the Highlands. They are hoping to continue with Christmas kits for families and individuals, if funding can be found.

The team have also been transforming its community arts programmes into online group learning programmes for families living with long-term conditions and families with young children and older adults. It has paid tribute to a number of groups for their suppor. These include: CORRA Foundation, Connecting Carers, Befrienders Highland, Let’s Get On With It Together, Third Sector Resilience fund and Government business support, plus the Creativity In Care staff for all their voluntary time "and everyone who has participated or given feedback on the work".

To find out more, email info@creativityincare.org or check Facebook Creativity In Care https://www.facebook.com/creativityincare


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