SIX YEARS of creativity challenges have come to an end for elderly residents at a North Yorkshire care home.
Residents at Hazelgrove Court Care Home in Saltburn-by-the-Sea have taken part in their last January Challenge, set by social enterprise 64 Million Artists.
The care home has been participating in the nationwide initiative since 2021, during the Covid-19 lockdown, with several residents having taken part every year since.
Sharon Lewis, activities coordinator at Hazelgrove Court, said: “I will miss the January challenge as it’s an activities coordinator’s dream to get 31 free activities sent to your inbox, with ideas you would never think of doing.
“My favourite was to build a tower and see how high we could make it.”
Residents even had the opportunity to set one of the daily challenges in 2024, having been named Creative Champion by the enterprise.
64 Million Artists has decided to close its public programme, however, with January 31 marking the last day of the challenge – which grew to more than 600,000 participants in schools, workplaces and care homes around the UK at its height.
The final challenge, named “Creativity for Change”, asked participants to reflect and share a story about how creativity has made a change in their lives.
Yashoda Rodgers, public programmes manager at 64 Million Artists, added: “Hazelgrove Court has been a cornerstone of our creative community since 2021.
“Over the years Sharon and the residents have brought so much enthusiasm, joy and creative inspiration to the team at 64 Million Artists and the community that takes part nationwide.”
Joyce Baxtrem (pictured) has enjoyed social enterprise 64 Million Artists’ annual January Challenge since 2021.