Care workers from across the North East are entering a wonderland of bunny rabbits, baskets and bunting as they prepare for one of the summer’s biggest events.
More than 20 staff members from leading specialist care provider, Careline Lifestyles, recently attended a one-off workshop with acclaimed designer Paul Shriek, in preparation for the South Tyneside Festival Summer Parade 2015.
The parade, which takes to the streets of South Shields on Saturday July 4, will mark the 150thanniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, with a host of floats, themed-entertainment and costumed characters.
More than 2000 people are expected to take part, including representatives from Careline Lifestyles, which is sponsoring this year’s event.
To help the company prepare for its role, the parade’s Artist Director, Paul Shriek and his design partner Matt Fox, recently visited Careline Lifestyles Deneside Court care home in St Joseph’s Way, Jarrow.
There they met with activity co-ordinators from all 10 of the company’s facilities across the North East, including Bishop Auckland, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Morpeth and Jarrow.
With the help of experienced artists, Kath Price and Claudia Van Lieshout Smit, the attendees were taught how to create papier mâché flowers and bunny ears, as well as topiary, bunting and decorated baskets.
They now plan to share these skills with residents across Careline Lifestyles’ homes, to create props that will be used in the South Tyneside Festival Summer Parade.
Councillor John Anglin, Chairman of South Tyneside’s Events Steering Group, who attended the workshop, said: “The staff seemed to have a great time at the workshop and were excited about taking what they’d learnt back to their residents.
“The South Tyneside Festival Summer Parade is going to be an amazing event and we’re absolutely delighted to have everyone at Careline Lifestyles involved.”
Rahul Sharma, Chief Executive of Careline Lifestyles, said: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s South Tyneside Festival Summer Parade and are keen for our staff and residents to be as involved as possible.
“This workshop was a great opportunity for our activity co-ordinators to learn from the experts and they are now adapting the techniques to suit the abilities and interests of the residents in their respective homes.”
As well as the workshop at Deneside Court, Paul, Matt and their artistic partners are also hosting a number of similar sessions, where members of the public can get involved.
These events, which are running weekly until mid-May, include Proggy Mat workshops to create topiary trees which will form part of the Wonderland parade and separate sessions to craft paper flowers, which will be used on hats.
Anyone interested in attending can find out more by emailing Fiona McKeown at Fiona.mckeown@customshouse.co.uk.
More information about the parade and other events taking place as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015, can also be found at www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk