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School pupils across Warwickshire have created artwork and poetry to help bring cheer to older people in hospitals and care homes.

Six weeks ago, Warwickshire-based charity Kissing it Better launched an art and poetry competition, so that young people could use their creativity to enhance the lives of older people.

Kissing it Better’s aim is to end the isolation of old age by bringing the generations together.

The six art competition winners with Fiona Burton, Director of Nursing, SWFT
Georgia and Freddie Seamer (left), Sakinah Bouterse at the front, Lucy Jennings, Imogen Heaps and Isobel Preston. Photo supplied — The six art competition winners with Fiona Burton, Director of Nursing, SWFT Georgia and Freddie Seamer (left), Sakinah Bouterse at the front, Lucy Jennings, Imogen Heaps and Isobel Preston. Photo supplied

Now the judges have made their decisions, and the winning poems and pictures will be shared with South Warwickshire Foundation Trust hospitals and care homes.

Fiona Burton, director of nursing at South Warwickshire Foundation Trust, said: “These amazing creative works will really bring cheer to patients and residents who are still not allowed visitors.

“The pictures and poetry will also give our patients and residents something uplifting and positive to talk about.”

Kissing it Better’s founder, Jill Fraser, praised the quality of the entries. She said: “I’d like to thank all the talented young people who entered, and also our amazing judges, who had a tough job on their hands.”

Amelia Rainey (Aylesford School) one of the poetry winners. Photo supplied

Kissing it Better is now looking for sponsorship or help creating a book of the entries.

Here are the winners of the two competitions:

Art Competition

Judges: Fiona Burton, Director of Nursing, SWFT, Sally Foden, local artist, Moya Bucknall, Fine Art consultant

Age seven to 10 category: first place: Georgia Seamer (Warwick Preparatory), second place: Freddie Seamer (Warwick Junior School)

Age 11 to 14 category: first place: Lucy Jennings (King’s High School), second place: Isobel Preston (Stratford Girls)

Age 15 to 18 category: first place: Sakinah Bouterse (Solihull College), second place: Imogen Heaps (Alcester Academy)

Poetry competition

Judges: Fiona Burton, Director of Nursing, SWFT and Annie Ashworth, Director, Stratford Literary Festival

Age seven to 10 category: first place: Jacob Neal (Warwick Junior School), second place: Jaya Kalsi (All Saints Church of England)

Age 11 to 14 category: Joint first place Isabel Davies and John Moore (Berkhamsted), second place: Amelia Rainey (Aylesford)

Age 15 to 18 category: Joint first place Taha Elamin (Warwick School) and Gigi Thomas (King’s High School)

To view the winning entries click here: The winning artwork and poems by Warwickshire school pupils who entered Kissing it Better's competition

Warwickshire school pupils create artwork and poetry to bring cheer to older people in hospitals and care homes