Kirklees care home inspires resident to paint her way through rehab

Posted on March 12, 2021 by EliseKirklees

Artist Betty Thornton’s work is on display in homes across the world but now it’s also on display in a Kirklees care home.

Caring for Betty

Betty, 93, came to Ings Grove House in Mirfield last month needing physiotherapy to improve her mobility and assistance with personal care after receiving hospital treatment.

A well-established artist

Unknown to care home staff, Betty is also an artist who for the last 50 years has been a member of the Huddersfield Art Society and has work displayed in homes in Australia and the USA. During her stay at Ings Grove House, Betty painted ‘Road to Recovery’ which depicts her journey through rehabilitation at the care home. The painting, done in NHS rainbow colours, shows a rocky start that reflects her health when she came to Ings Grove and after a winding road, ends where she would like to be – back in her own home.

Care home inspiration

She was inspired to pick up the paintbrushes when she heard staff discussing how they were going to name the care home suites. She then painted the named flower for each suite – Lavender, Bluebell, Blossom and Willow. Staff now have the framed paintings on display in the home.

Councillor Musarrat Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said:

“I am pleased that care home staff could inspire Betty Thornton to keep painting whilst they nurtured her back to good health. This is yet another example of how we strive to keep our elderly residents as well and independent as possible even when they are in our care.

“Being able to keep painting has clearly boosted Betty’s mental health and wellbeing and we all wish her good luck as her stay at Ings Grove House comes to an end.”