Visitors are astounded as an Oriental dragon arrives at Kirklands!
For several weeks, in-patients at Kylepark Assessment and Treatment Centre passionately designed and constructed their contribution for the 2023 Bothwell Scarecrow Festival. After winning an award the previous year, the challenge was on to uphold their high standards.
The occupational therapy staff in the NHS Lanarkshire Adult Learning Disabilities team helped patients with the build. One of the patients came up with the concept of the Oriental Dragon, and he was delighted to see his idea come into reality.
Patients were able to learn a number of skills while working on the scarecrow, including how to use tools and equipment, be creative, solve problems, and work as a team. Depending on their ability, each patient currently receiving care at Kylepark Assessment & Treatment Centre was able to contribute to some extent, whether it was large-scale building or basic painting jobs. Some patients are even brainstorming ideas for 2024 because the level of motivation and passion has been so high!
One of the patients who was eager to talk about how they felt about building the scarecrow remarked: “I really loved making the dragon. It was good to make something to make people say WOW.” Another patient described how the support of the occupational therapists motivated them: “I liked doing the painting for the scarecrow. The OT told me I was very good so I did all the hard bits.”
The patients realised they could learn innovative skills and do anything they set their minds to. One of them said “I liked making the scarecrow with the OTs. I learnt how to use chicken wire to make the shape and then cover it with loads and loads of cling film. Loads of us had to carry it to the trees to hang it up.”
Both the patients and the staff at Kylepark Assessment and Treatment Centre should be exceptionally proud of the oriental dragon scarecrow exhibit, which is truly a work of art.
Anyone heading to Kirklands in the weeks to come ought to be sure to stop by and check out the incredible display.
More information on the Bothwell Scarecrow Festival can be found here.
