Talented Haywards Heath artist adds a splash of colour to people’s lives

Charlotte Froud, a student at Ardingly College, has started an online art class for residents at The Old Bake House in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, which is managed by charity The Abbeyfield Society.

She has done this alongside raising more than £1,500 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and setting up her own charity art project during the first lockdown.

They have explored some basic sketching techniques, and will work their way up to other forms of art.

Charlotte said: “It’s especially important now to engage with people who have been isolated during lockdown.

“The idea of running this class came from a conversation I had with my friends, when we talked about the things we had missed doing during the pandemic. I thought it must have been doubly hard for older people, many of whom haven’t been able to go outside or have visitors come to see them. I jumped at the chance to connect with some Abbeyfield residents and share my passion.

“I chose The Old Bake House because I’ve heard great things about Abbeyfield from friends and family. It’s clear, from speaking to the residents, the lengths to which their amazing frontline staff have gone to support them over the past year, and it is really inspiring to see how they have kept their spirits up.