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Creative Carers

Creative Carers is a community-based strand of the Arts for Health Partnership Programme in West Cork, initiated in 2022. The programme is for anyone who looks after a family member in the home or through a care setting. It offers a range of creative workshops for learning new skills, meeting people, connecting with services and peer support. The workshops are organised in partnership with Family Carers and Older Person’s Development workers. 

A full year evaluation of the programme took place in 2022, carried out internally by staff at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre. If you’d like to learn more, you can read the report in full here.

“I enjoyed every part. I especially liked the playing around with the words and wire art.” – Participants at Arts Centre

“Myself and my father (Ted) absolutely loved the artist’s weekly visits. It was a beautiful journey of music, memories and swapping of stories… It also brought me out of the humdrum of caring into a lovely space of connection.”  “Ian is so happy after his music session and the joy it brings into our home is immeasurable so long may this programme continue in West Cork.” – Participants at Home

“I loved how they (the artists) invited me to other carers events. No judgement, a chance to escape the carers duties and forget your worries.”  – Participants in Community Event

“Warm, friendly atmosphere. Being encouraged to relax and let go. It was very freeing and forgiving, a whole new experience.”  – Participants in Community Event

CREATIVE CARERS SERIES

CREATIVE CARERS SERIES

Weekly group workshops exploring visual art or music in a social and relaxed way, delivered by artists in an arts or community setting.

CREATIVE CARERS AT HOME

CREATIVE CARERS AT HOME

A series of one-to-one sessions with an artist to research and investigate ways to embed creative engagement in our lives.

BRINGING ART HOME

BRINGING ART HOME

Bringing Art Home aims to reach those who are not able to leave their home. Artist led-project that invites participants to collaborate on a given idea to invite creative engagement via the post.

CARER EVENTS

CARER EVENTS

Organised with community coordinators to present once off events in community spaces such as drop-in workshops, concerts, exhibitions, and information check-in points.

CURRENT CREATIVE CARERS WORKSHOP SERIES

Creative Carers workshops run weekly or monthly across West Cork. Each workshop is facilitated by an experienced, professional artist who is part of the Arts for Health Artist Team. Please feel free to contact us at info@westcorkartscentre.com or call 028 22090 if you have any questions!

Skibbereen

Creative Carers with Sarah Ruttle, conversation and making

Take a moment to be creative, relax, and connect with others at Sarah’s visual art workshops.

Tuesdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Skibbereen Community & Family Resource Centre

15 September 2026

22 September 2026

29 September 2026

6 October 2026

13 October 2026

20 October 2026

Please contact Gráinne at 028 23572 or email opcworker@scfrc.ie with any questions or to book your free place.

 

Creative Carers Coffee and Music Meets with Justin Grounds

Skibbereen Community & Family Resource Centre

2026 Dates TBC

Please contact Gráinne at 028 23572 or email opcworker@scfrc.ie with any questions or to book your free place.

 

Writing for Wellbeing with Elizabeth Murray

Thursdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Skibbereen Community & Family Resource Centre

29 October 2026

12 November 2026

26 November 2026

10 December 2026

Please contact Gráinne at 028 23572 or email opcworker@scfrc.ie with any questions or to book your free place.

 

Mizen & Sheep’s Head

Creative Carers with Sharon dipity

Sharon dipity facilitates monthly art workshops for family carers throughout the year. Warm and welcoming, they are the perfect place to meet others with shared experiences, and take some time to be creative.

Wednesdays 11am – 1pm, Ballydehob Community Hall

7 October 2026

14 October 2026

21 October 2026

28 October 2026

To book your place or for further information, please contact Lorna Harte on 087 4001763. 

 

 

Bantry

Creative Carers with Sharon dipity

Visual artist Sharon dipity will facilitate a monthly Creative Carers art workshop in The Westlodge Hotel, Bantry. Come along for a morning of creativity and relaxation.

10.30am – 12.30pm, Historical Rooms, The Westlodge Hotel

2026 Dates TBC

To book your place or for further information, please contact Gemma Casey on 087 9103036.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dunmanway

Creative Carers with Anne Harrington Rees

Artist Anne Harrington Rees will facilitate Creative Carers workshops in Dunmanway Family Resource Centre.

Tuesdays 10am – 12pm, Dunmanway Family Resource Centre

1 September 2026

8 September 2026

29 September 2026

6 October 2026

17 November 2026

24 November 2026

To book your place or for further information, please contact Debbie Hayes at 023 885 6818 or email debbie@dfrc.ie

 

Clonakilty

Creative Carers Coffee and Music Meets with Justin Grounds

A chance to connect with others and explore your own creativity through music. Chat, listen, create, compose over a hot cup of tea or coffee!

Fridays, 10.30am – 12pm, West Cork Traveller Centre

4 September 2026

2 October 2026

6 November 2026

4 December 2026

Email artsforhealth@westcorkartscentre.com with any questions or to join the group.

 

 

Castletownbere

Creative Carers Art Workshops with Catherine Weld

A new series of Creative Carers with visual artist Catherine Weld. Take an afternoon to relax and be creative in Castletownbere.

Thursdays, 2.30pm – 4.30pm, Beara West Family Resource Centre

10 September 2026

17 September 2026

24 September 2026

1 October 2026

8 October 2026

15 October 2026

Email Sharon Wolverson on swolverson@bearawest.ie with any questions or to join the group!