VIBRANT artwork made by Swindon College students went on display at a care home’s dementia unit yesterday.

The project involving first year HND fashion and textiles students aim to promote nutrition to the residents of Kings Court Home, in Kent Road. The artwork, which has been put up in the unit’s dining room and living room, includes colourful textile and fabric designs.

The students, Dayle Rushton, Lily Walker, Lenisha Rodriques, Raquel Palop-Tenes, Hannah Donovan, Lesley Withington and Rennata Bleek, used a variety of knitting, weaving, screen printing and embroidery skills to create the work.

Dayle, 19, said: “This has been a good project to be involved with. We’ve done a lot of preparation and also learnt about dementia and which types of artwork can be a benefit to those with the condition.”

Lily, 23, said: “It has been really enjoyable working on this project to brighten up this area. From a personal point of view it is also nice to be able to see our work taken somewhere and put on display.”

Julie Heenan, Kings Court Home’s manager, said that it was a pleasure working with Swindon College.

She said: “The campaign will promote nutrition and hydration here. I rang the college and they commissioned this fabulous display. It is great to have these colourful food works on the wall which the residents can see and relate to.

“They have also produced a menu board which I think is important for the residents but also their families so they can see what their loved ones are eating.

“I’d like to thank the college and its students for all their hard work, we really appreciate it.”

Tutors Denise Richards, who teaches ceramics, and Natalie Adamson-Wain, the programme’s leader, worked with the students on the project.

Natalie said: “This has been a great project not only for our students to learn how to work as a group but also learn about dementia and as a textile designer how they can use their skills to help different groups within the community.

“The textiles industry has developed and changed at a staggering rate and it is important that these traditional skills are maintained and passed on to a new generation.“ Anyone interested in finding more about enrolling on the HND course can call 01793 498989 or email artschool@swindon-college.ac.uk.