Wales’ first ever care home artist in residence is celebrating 30 years in the ground-breaking role in style thanks to a royal invitation.
Talented Sarah Edwards, who is a consultant for the Pendine Park care organisation which has nine homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon, will be attending a garden party hosted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace on May 7.
She will be accompanied on the big day by her partner, Jason Bennion, an acclaimed artist and illustrator, who also works as an art tutor at Pendine which is also celebrating big birthday this year – its 40th anniversary.
Sarah, who lives in Wrexham, was taken on by the organisation’s art-loving owners, Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, back in 1995 when the concept of an artist-in-residency was a new idea in the social care sector.
Since then she has supported the development of award-winning enrichment programmes at Pendine where she has also masterminded their interior design.
Mario Kreft said: “This is a much deserved honour for Sarah who has been advising the Pendine Park team for the last 30 years.
“Her indomitable spirit and her pioneering work in the field of arts in health is commendable and remains central to our vision for promoting person-centred care right across our organisation.”
Sarah’s creative input has been key to organising a 12 month long bumper programme of special activities to celebrate Pendine’s 40th anniversary
These include securing the help of delighted residents to create yards and yards of colourful hand decorated birthday bunting.
Her unique skills have supported the organisation on the road to winning numerous arts related accolades including the 2015 Business of the Year at the prestigious Arts and Business Cymru Awards.
She has helped forge strong relationships between Pendine Park and leading arts and musical organisations including Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Welsh National Opera, and Manchester’s world famous Halle orchestra.
She has also helped open the doors for Wrexham schools and college students to visit Pendine Park’s regular sessions where residents of all ages and capabilities are encouraged to express themselves through the medium of art.
Their creations have included paintings, collages, sculptures and multi-media exhibitions. A recent highlight was an array of colourful lanterns displayed in the aisles of St Asaph Cathedral at the 2024 North Wales International Musical Festival.
Born and raised in Wrexham, Sarah graduated from Cardiff University with a first in illustration after initially studying art at Yale College which is now part of Coleg Cambria, Wrexham.
On leaving university she knew she wanted to use her art to make a difference in people’s lives and approached Mario and Gill about the possibility of introducing art as a therapeutic activity at their care homes.
Her approach came at just the right time when Mario and Gill were hoping to introduce a revolutionary daily programme of enrichment activities into their care homes to enhance a feeling of wellbeing among residents.
Sarah said much has changed since her early years, with more care staff dedicated to promoting enrichment activities programmes.
Over the years more extensive links have been created with local groups via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT), set up by Mario and Gill to support cultural and community groups through grants, sponsorship and donations.
“The rewards of my role are infinite. I’ll never stop being amazed by the ability of our residents to overcome so many giant obstacles,” said Sarah.
“Whether it be physical disabilities, mobility issues or communication difficulties, they work so hard to conquer all limitations and create some remarkable pieces of art. I really do learn as much from them as they learn from me. They have my total admiration.”
She said her invitation to the Royal Garden Party was as much a tribute to the residents as to herself and she was looking forward to telling them lots of stories about her visit to the Palace on her return.
