Jehane Boden Spiers, owner of art licensing agency Jehane (which supplies many greeting card publishers with designs), has teamed up with Age UK in West Cumbria to publish a special colouring book, that is being distributed to the elderly in social isolation.
The 32-page Caring Colouring book features the artwork from seven artists the designs of which also appear on greeting card ranges. These include Kate Heiss (The Art File’s Nature Trail range), Helen Ahpornsiri (Wild Press range for Museums & Galleries), Jade Mosinski (Jade Mosinski Designs for Blue Eyed Sun and Botanical Bee for Museums & Galleries), Katherine Quinn (Night and Day and Dinosaurs for Roger La Borde and Owls and Whales for Cote Bordeau in France), Tracey English (Around the World for Paper Rose/The Art Group), Bex Parkin (Floral Notes for Portfolio) and Meghann Rader (Occasions for Lagom Design).
The idea for the colouring book came about after Brighton-based Jehane responded to a plea made by Jane Mindar, deputy chief executive of Age UK West Cumbria, on social media. Jane was in the process of temporarily closing the charity’s face-to-face services and was looking for ways to ensure people felt connected at home.
“With all the experience we have and the fantastic artists I am working with, I immediately thought of making our own colouring book,” commented Jehane. “The concept of ‘Caring Colouring’ seemed the perfect name for our collaboration. I hope it brings much needed reassurance, connection, and joy to some of our most vulnerable people in social isolation.”
Some 200 copies of the book, along with 2,000 colouring pens, have already been donated to Age UK in West Cumbria. These are being distributed through the charity’s new Food Parcel Delivery service, an initiative created to deliver essential food items to vulnerable older people who are unable to leave their homes.
Jane added: “Our clubs, groups and services provide a vital source of support and social activity for older people across West Cumbria. I wanted to make sure that these people still feel connected while isolating in their own homes.
“To some it might just be a colouring book, but to the older people we support it’s reassurance that there are people out there that care. Colouring is also a brilliant way to relax when things feel overwhelming. We cannot thank Jehane enough for this incredibly thoughtful and generous donation, we are so grateful.”
A complete copy of Caring Colouring can be downloaded by clicking on this link for a donation starting from £5. 100% of all proceeds will go to Age UK West Cumbria.
Top: Jehane Boden Spires, founder of Jehane who came up with the idea and has produced the Caring Colouring book that features the work of several notable greeting card artists.
