Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court resident creates charming art to honour her family

Above: Resident Gladys proudly shows a handmade card she created for her daughter, a skilled archer (Left), and a Peter Rabbit birthday card for her great-granddaughter’s first birthday (Right).

Gladys is a 96-year-old resident at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Berkshire. Being a creative person, she is famous at the Home for committing to all kinds of arts and crafts projects. Gladys uses her skills to create unforgettable masterpieces, from colourful cushions at the Home’s needlework workshop to soft toys and beautiful cards. Her source of inspiration? Her own family.

“Gladys thinks the world of her family and these are the strongest and most important relationships in her life. Her strong bond with them inspires the designs she creates, and each design is individually handmade to be the perfect gift,” says Sharon, one of the Activities Coordinators at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court. She adds:

Seeing Gladys achieve her goals fills my heart with pride. Her determination and perseverance inspires me.

Gladys has recently created two separate cards. The first one, depicting a bow and a target, was for her daughter Elizabeth, who is a talented archer. She says:

The card was handstitched using small and delicate blanket stitches on felt. I really had to focus on the design as it was intricate in its simplicity!

The second card depicts Peter Rabbit, the famous character created by writer and illustrator Beatrix Potter. Resident Gladys says:

This card was so exciting to make as it was for my great-granddaughter’s first birthday. I was under a little pressure as I had already made a beautiful card to celebrate her birth. The card shows a large “E” for Eloise, padded and stitched with a running stitch to highlight its shape and size.

Research has shown that crafting can bolster mood, improve self-confidence and reduce stress. In addition, craft activities support mental agility as well as gross and fine motor movements, and it helps decrease cognitive decline. Activities Coordinator Sharon adds:

Crafting is a way to help keep residents calm and focused. Seeing residents happier is an added bonus to all I do with them at the Home.

[Summary: Gladys, a 96-year-old resident at Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Berkshire, is renowned for her dedication to arts and crafts, creating handmade masterpieces inspired by her strong bond with her family. Recently, she crafted two special cards: one featuring a bow and target for her archer daughter, and another with Peter Rabbit for her great-granddaughter’s first birthday. Crafting not only allows Gladys to express her creativity but also enhances her mood, self-confidence and mental agility.]