Somme Nursing Home
Title of Work: Shine Bright, Shine Out
Arts Care Project Artist: Deirdre Cartmill
Art Form: Creative Writing
A diamond is multifaceted, just a like a life. In these creative writings in the Somme Nursing Home, participants wrote about the many facets of their life. They wrote about moments that lit them up and made them shine brightly – childhood memories, dances, escaping into nature, and happy times with family and friends.
But a diamond is also forged under pressure and their writing explored the hard times too – a childhood lived during the Blitz or the Troubles, and the highs and lows of a life in service.
They captured the times when they laughed, when they cried, and when they surprised themself and the world. Their voice rings out in these stories, memories and poems that explore courage, anger, joy, love, and a long life well-lived.
A Booklet has been produced. Courage to Stand Alone - A selection of stories, memories and poems from the Somme Nursing Home for the Here & Now Festival 2023- 2024.
Participants – Ron, Elizabeth, Daphne, John, Eileen, Betty, Dessie.
Congratulations to you all for creating such a beautiful and heartfelt collection, we are so thankful to you for participated in this year’s Festival.