My Art is My Voice
This year, our 9th annual Arts & Crafts competition was launched to celebrate the voice of the adults, children and young people we support. The suggested theme was “My Art is My Voice” and our artists were encouraged to explore and express the power of their voice through the art form and subjects of their choice relating to:
- Something or someone that helps you be heard, have a voice and be empowered to make decisions about your life.
- Something special or unique to you, a special topic, subject, object, person, people, community or place that helps you to have a voice.
- Something that you would like others to hear and take note of.
- Something that can inspire and empower others.
By creating visually captivating art pieces, participants were given the opportunity to showcase their artistic skills, creativity and personal narratives.
Amazing Arts & Crafts were received from every division of the CareTech family with the pieces received covering many different forms and styles, from pencil drawings and paintings through to sculptures, textiles, poetry, songs and videos.
The standard of entries received this year was truly inspiring and with over 250 pieces of Arts & Crafts received in total, the judges had an extremely difficult task in deciding the winners. However, after much deliberation, eight regional winners were chosen:
Our Regional Winners
Adult's Group
Group Project from the Redbourne Centre.
Adult's Central
‘Winter Crochet’ from High Road, Ilford.
Adult's North
'The Fight For Sanity’ from Mottram Road.
Adult's South
'My Mini My Voice’ from Ashring House.
Children's
'Armadillo Mask’ – Student at Whinfell School.
Children's
‘Quality of Living’ – Student at Hidelow Grange School.
Fostering
‘The 3 Pigs’ from By The Bridge.
Education
‘Sundown’ – Student at Cambian Red Rose School.
Once the Regional winners had been announced they were all invited to come to our National Arts & Crafts Awards Event held on the 21st November at Whittlebury Hall in Northampton.
Our National Arts & Crafts Awards is a wonderful way to bring people together from all divisions of CareTech and celebrate the amazing achievements and accomplishments of everyone who participated in this year’s event. Arts & Crafts from all of the entries received were displayed gallery style for everyone attending to appreciate the extraordinary talents of the individuals we support and marvel in the pieces on display.
Dr Mike Adams OBE (CareTech Executive Director and CEO of Purple) opened the Awards ceremony, welcoming everyone and delivering an uplifting and positive message about the importance and benefits of Art, its inclusivity, accessibility to all and its wonderful ability to bring individuals together. Clearly moved by the standard of Arts & Crafts on display, Mike closed his speech declaring “every one of those 250 pieces… you’re all winners!!”
Once the Regional awards had been presented, it was time for the big reveal and to announce the National Winners for our 9th Annual Arts and Crafts Competition.
Our National Winners
Children's Winner
Josh Turnes - Armadillo Mask.
Adult's Winner
Deano (The Redboune Group).
Josh Turnes was clearly excited and delighted at being crowned the overall National Winner for Children's and Fostering:
“I am over the moon, I won £200, I got my own art kit, I am basically the most famous person at my home.”
Deano from The Redbourne Centre was taken aback by the win, accepting the award on behalf of the Redbourne Centre he declared how proud he was of everyone, later adding:
“I’m stunned, really stunned, and I’m happy.”
Once the national winners had been announced and all the awards and prizes presented, Farouq Sheikh OBE (CareTech’s Co-Founder and Group Chairman) reflected on what a wonderful celebration the awards had been, expressing his pride and commendation for all the artists and entries received: