Young artist designs a warm welcome for Belong Chester’s first residents

Naomi Shetty, aged five, sketched a vibrant design, bringing it to life through colour and composition. The card created by Naomi features colourful homes, happy residents and celebrations to welcome them to their new home. The competition hosted by Belong, was run as a way of involving the community and personalising the welcome experience for customers moving into the village which opens later this month. 

When asked about what inspired her card, Naomi Shetty, pupil at Belgrave Primary School, said: ‘I thought the colours would make everybody smile and help them look forward to living in their new home.” 

Having designed the winning welcome card, Naomi won a ceramics workshop for the whole class with acclaimed sculptor Brigitte Jurack, which was organised by Belong and Ready Generations to usher in the intergenerational nature of the new village. Brigitte Jurack was chosen for her experience in working with Belong through 'Where the Arts Belong', an arts collaboration run in conjunction with Bluecoat, Liverpool’s contemporary art centre. 

The workshop that took place in the school involved Brigitte bringing in real fish, shells, and other objects for the class to examine and touch, inspiring them to experiment with the different tools to make their own ceramic fish. The masterpieces that the class produced will go on to be displayed in the Belong village garden as part of a therapeutic nature walk. 

Katie Buchanan, Belgrave School teacher, said: “The workshop really helped children to explore and develop their creativity. They built on their observational skills, using the real fish and other sea creatures to inspire them. Upon the classroom door opening, the aroma of the fish overpowered the room and the pupils became very eager to explore the pop-up ceramics studio that was set up for them. It was a fantastic, rich opportunity for all and we felt very privileged to have Brigitte in our school.” 

Patrick Butler, general manager of Belong Chester, also commented: “We're delighted to have had this opportunity to work with Belgrave Primary School and we're looking forward to welcoming the pupils to see their tiles in situ and of course, we're also very pleased with the cards that everyone submitted. Everyone at Belong would like extend warm a welcome to the customers moving into the new care village and we hope the thought that has gone into their cards will help make their move feel that extra bit special.” 

About Belong Villages 

Belong Limited is a charitable organisation, operating villages with a range of care, housing and support options for older people, as well as extensive amenities in the village centre. These include bistro, hair salon, specialist exercise studio and function rooms. People can choose to live independently in a Belong apartment or within a supported 24-hour care environment. 

Belong specialises in supporting people with dementia, and 24-hour care is provided in extended family-sized households, with modern open plan layouts specially designed around the needs of people with dementia. All employees working in Belong villages are trained in dementia awareness, from domestic assistants through to bistro staff. The organisation is also a registered domiciliary provider and can support people in their own home, through its Belong at Home service. 

There are seven Belong villages in Atherton, Crewe, Didsbury, Macclesfield, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Wigan and Warrington, with two more under construction in Birkdale and Wirral. Belong Chester is set to open in July 2022.

For more information, see:

www.belong.org.uk