A RETIREE from Weston said that picking up mosaic art improved her wellbeing and quality of life.

Jenny Brimble, 70, always had a knack for crafting, and decided to pick up mosaics five years ago, a couple of years after moving into Fussells Court, a McCarthy Stone Retirement Living development in Weston-Super-Mare.

She said: “I’ve always enjoyed making things and applying my creativity to new projects, so I started doing mosaics about five years ago.

“It made a huge difference to my wellbeing and quality of life as I picked it up just before the pandemic, which was such a difficult and lonely time for many of us.

“Doing mosaics helped me cope better by making me feel less isolated and giving me a sense of purpose.

“I’ve always done some form of arts and crafts, but I’d never tried mosaics before, and I was keen to give something new a go.

“I’d been inspired to try it after I visited a local crafts centre, which is where I now get the supplies I need to make the mosaics.

“I love that I have something to show for all my time and effort. It’s such intricate work which makes it so time consuming, but the end result makes it all the more worthwhile.

“Most recently, I did a magnificent mosaic of the Titanic which I’m incredibly proud of. Later this year, I’m hoping to create a mosaic inspired by one of my own photos.”

Jenny’s interest has also piqued the curiosity of other homeowners at the development who have admired her work.

That’s why McCarthy Stone regularly host a range of informal gatherings, clubs and events, to suit all interests and abilities.

Some developments even have arts and crafts rooms and sports facilities.

Besides helping us to declutter our minds and manage stress, hobbies have also been tied to a number of other benefits, including boosting brain power, helping to stave off depression, and providing higher levels of happiness and self-reported health in people aged 65 and over.

“Crafting is not only a great way to unwind and flex your creativity, but it also helps develop skills such as strategic thinking and problem solving.

“It’s had a profound effect on my cognitive health and I’m really starting to feel the full effects of that now.

“When I was a lot younger, I used to build model ships, which was really where my love for creating things blossomed.

“I did try knitting for a bit when I first moved to Fussells Court, however, I couldn’t get on with it.

“Instead, I wanted to do something more craft-based, which is how I came across mosaics. In between doing that, I also enjoy painting by numbers - in fact, I love most things that involve some element of artistry and crafting.

“When I moved to Fussells Court, it’d been a while since I’d done any kind of arts and crafts, so I was eager to get back into it.

"I’m thrilled to be able to do something I’ve always loved and that it continues to bring me as much joy now as it did when I was younger,” she said.