Creative Mission Competition Winners
We received so many brilliant entries for the Creative Mission competition and want to take a moment to thank each and every person who submitted their work.
We asked people to submit their entries inspired by one of the ‘I’ Statements from our new Mission and Purpose Statement:
I live my best life in a place I call home
I feel listened to, respected and valued
I enjoy choices and rights and have control over my life
I am supported to feel safe
I am doing the things that matter to me
I enjoy relationships with others
I am connected to my community
I am supported with my well-being
I feel able to reach my full potential
Thanks to all of you who have shared the competition and got involved.
We received many fantastic entries, from fab artwork to creative writing, and we decided that all initial entries are receiving a £10 voucher.
We have chosen an overall winner for each ‘I’ statement, who will receive £100 in vouchers.
We hope you enjoy the fantastic winning entries below!
Susan C, Birmingham – I live my best life in a place I call home
The place I call home, you could say, is Birmingham. I know that I used to live with my mom and sister, sometimes in Lowestoft or with mum and dad in Bordesley Green, then I moved around a lot.
I had no choices till I was older. I felt I was safe when I met my foster mum and dad. I began running for the Special Olympics and when I was in school, I did a course on human development, childcare and family life, from 1992 to 1994. I passed with merit.
Now, in this life, I’m doing different courses with the staff from the Mental Health Wellbeing Hub. Their names are Ian, Adrian, Shannon, Will, Megan, Emma, and John.
They are helping me a lot to get my goal.
Gift Iyonawan, Wakefield – I feel listened to respected and valued
In the stillness of the morning hours, I enter the atmosphere of the residential home, welcomed by the gentle sound of newspapers shuffling and the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee. This space is my refuge, where narratives come alive and bonds grow stronger. As a care support worker, my responsibilities go beyond duties; they involve creating a space where each person is heard, honoured, and cherished.
Today, I saw Mrs. Mary sitting in her spot near the window, with sunlight shining on her hair as she looked through a photo album filled with precious memories that sparkled in her eyes with nostalgia, weight carried by each page turned by her delicate hands. It was clear how much sharing these memories meant to her. “Could you share the story behind this picture?” I gently enquired, while pointing at a faded photograph capturing a woman amidst a garden’s beauty.
Her expression brightened with joy as we engaged in conversation for thirty minutes. I found myself immersed in her stories of love and heartbreak and moments of laughter beneath cherry blossoms in bloom. I responded with nods and smiles, attentively giving her the chance to share openly. In those instances, I was more than a caregiver; I became a confidant, a presence to confide in.
Later in the day, I visited Mr. Ian in his flat. He was sitting quietly on his sofa with a look of concern etched across his face. I walked over with a smile, sensing that something was troubling him. “How are you doing today?” I enquired in a comforting tone. He let out a sigh, then opened up about his family and how he had been feeling isolated and alone. I listened, providing support without passing any judgement. “It’s completely normal to feel like this,” I reassured him. “Your emotions are important.”
When I assisted him in handling his feelings, I noticed the stress melting away from his shoulders. Mr. Ian found comfort in being heard. After I departed from the scene, he expressed gratitude not for my suggestions, but for the opportunity to express himself freely.
In the afternoon gatherings with the residents, we engaged in activities where our conversations played a role in shaping the day for all of us together as a community. It was heart warming to witness how each person’s voice held importance, be it while talking about a book or deliberating on ice cream flavours. Everyone added value to the discussions I led as we explored various topics, ensuring that every resident felt valued and encouraged to participate. These shared moments fostered respect amongst us all, where each individual viewpoint and personal story wove into the fabric that bound our community together.
At the end of the day, as I unwound and looked back on my interactions with others, I realised that my responsibility extended beyond offering assistance; it involved fostering an environment where people felt acknowledged and appreciated. When I stood up for what they required—be it a dish or a beloved pastime—I affirmed their significance in meaningful ways.
As my shift wound down and I looked back at the residents at the Bingo activity, they were exchanging stories in a way that lightened the burden of their concerns for a moment. In their laughter lay my sense of fulfilment. I was aware that my role went beyond caregiving. I had lent an ear to them with respect and appreciation for who they were at their core.
In the fabric of existence, I am thankful to play my part as a connection entwined with the lives of those dear to me. As I venture out into the dusk, I bear in mind the bond that ties our hearts together, each of us acknowledging the value of the other in our path.
Carolyn Mclean, Manchester – I enjoy choice and rights and I have control over my life
Right to be individual
Life’s choices elongate, wrong decisions
Gambling addiction
Supported and connected at Swan Street Manchester Creative Support
Missed opportunities
New horizons, sun bursting through dark clouds
Different techniques for developing creative skills
Negativity
Positivity and perspective on life
New perception for the future
No crossed words
No excuses
Feel free
Control to make life’s choices
As daylight fades
Reflect on life’s situations
Don’t give in, be strong in our individual lives and others
Let’s endeavour to make right choices
Be an individual
Be an optimist
Fatema B, London – I am supported to feel safe
Upon the roof terrace,
The brisk breeze gently blows the sunflower petals.
That boldly stand in their golden yellow shade.
Like a magnet, it attracts.
The parrots that perch above,
Shielded by warmth and love.
Just like sue Starkey, which creates the strongest bonds.
As the days go by, I become more fond.
I ponder the parallels between myself and the birds.
The freedom, safety, and comfort they find
In a secure sunflower bed.
Sue Starkey is my sunflower!
Summer approaches and seasons change.
Yet my passion for supporting people remains.
I hold the people here close to my heart.
To care for, support, and play a big part!
I feel as free as these very birds.
To raise my voice, my worries, my concerns.
Sue Starkey makes me feel most safe.
My second home and my favourite place.
“Once I had my nose pierced and I was very brave, and it did not hurt. I had 4 tattoos, and they only tickled, the staff were amazed.”
“I have been on the Waltzers with the staff, it was amazing. We go to the mop every year.”
“I have a new job. I clean out the horses, donkeys and sheep houses out. I love my job. I have two guinea pigs called Buzz and Woody.”
Haroon, North East – I enjoy relationships with others
George Allport, Warwickshire – I am connected to my community
“Wendy helps me when I buy cards and gifts and stationery. She is very nice and helpful.”
“When I go to the baptism church the service is lovely, they are all very kind and friendly.”
“I wear gym clothes and have a go on the exercise machine, keep fit and very strong and healthy, the staff there are good.”
“The bus driver Steve takes me to Stratford and Redditch, Steve is very kind to me and my friends.”
Maria B, London – I am supported with my wellbeing
David Johnston, Manchester – I feel able to reach my full potential
My name is David Johnston and I have a physical disability which affects my mobility. I had regular physiotherapy throughout my childhood to help me walk.
After neglecting to do regular exercises, I started having back pain in 2015. After tests, I was diagnosed with borderline osteoporosis. Since then, I try to exercise at least twice a week. I walk, using my wheel chair as an aid, from the tram stop to my house in Altrincham after attending Creative Together and sometimes the Step into the City sessions, which are run by the staff on a Thursday afternoon.
Sometimes I find it too wet, or in the wintertime, too cold to exercise outdoors, so I joined a yoga class at the centre a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, the class didn’t last long as the person leading the session kept cancelling and eventually left.
Creative Together tried to find someone to lead a class but were unsuccessful, and after pestering Zoe and Claire for more movement-based activities, Zoe asked me to run my own exercise class as I was so keen on the idea.
Initially the idea of leading a group was very daunting, so I didn’t mention the idea for a couple of weeks. When it became obvious that nobody from outside the centre was going to run a class. I started to come round to the idea of leading one myself.
So at the start of 2024, I told the staff and the members that I would run an exercise class on a Tuesday afternoon. After extensive research on YouTube I found a video which showed chair exercises. I was unsure whether the class would last any more than a couple of weeks as people would get bored.
Well, I was proved wrong! A regular number of members kept turning up and as the months went on , the attendance was consistent. Eventually, people became fed up of the same video being played. So I stumbled upon a YouTube channel called Improved Health which is run by a woman called Jules. Her chair exercises were more challenging than the other video. It helped the members stay engaged with my class, and I have been getting positive feedback.
In September 2024, I started to keep a weekly log of how many members attended the class and how much money I was making every week. Then, I calculated how much money was made at the end of the month. I did this to ease the workload of the staff and to have more ownership of the class. I was shocked to find out that I have made over £50.00 from September to December 2024.
Running the exercise class has helped me reach my full potential at Creative Together and, at the same time, improve my physical and mental health. I feel more confident in myself, and I am more willing to be more adventurous!
A huge congratulations to all of our amazing winners!
Thanks to all of you who have shared the competition and got involved, we are pleased to announce that we will be holding future rounds throughout the year, so please keep sending entries to communications@creativesupport.co.uk