Residents at an Edgbaston care home took a trip down memory lane and shared their memories of Birmingham with younger generations as part of a new public exhibition. Created by The Birmingham & Midland Institute (BMI), residents from Care UK’s Edgbaston Manor, on Speedwell Road, shared their memories of growing up in Birmingham and their concerns around climate change with younger generations from across the city as part of a volunteer-led exhibition, titled, ‘Grandbabs’.
The collaborative exhibition included over twenty original portraits of senior citizens by local Birmingham-based artists, as well as short documentary videos which featured interviews with residents from Edgbaston Manor, and archive footage from Birmingham’s history. The exhibition was officially unveiled to the public at The Birmingham & Midland Institute, where residents attended alongside members of the local community.
Commenting on featuring in the exhibition, resident Archie Holyoake, said: “I am a true Brummie, so it was great to take part in this exhibition. I often write poetry about my home and loved sharing them with the youngsters. Their work is smashing!”
Zoe Steventon, General Manager at Edgbaston Manor, added: “At Edgbaston Manor, we regularly encourage residents to take part in therapeutic and artistic activities which promote positive wellbeing and reminiscence. The residents loved taking part in this exhibition and revisiting their favourite memories from growing up in the city with Birmingham’s younger generation.
“It was wonderful to see their faces light up as they watched themselves and saw their stories shown to the Birmingham community, alongside footage of how they remember the city growing up. It was particularly heart-warming to see Archie read his poetry out loud with such pride and admiration.
“Every single day the team are in awe of the stories each resident shares with us about their life, and the different times they have lived through. It’s the reason why we come to work every day because of those bonds that are formed and shared.”
The exhibition was shown at the Sir William Blake Richmond Gallery at the Birmingham & Midland Institute (BMI). Edgbaston Manor has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence.
The home has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents. There is also plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.
