Buzz in the City’s special connection with ECL’s Highfields Day Centre

As a sponsor of Buzz in the City, customers of ECL Highfields and Charles Dickens day centres for older people and people with learning disabilities and/autism received three bee sculptures to design and paint ready to be featured in Chelmsford’s first ever sculpture art trail this summer. 

As Caroline stepped through the front entrance of Highfields Day Centre to drop off the bees to be painted, it was bittersweet as she had previously been there with her late father Victor (Vic) Baker. 

 Vic, who had advanced Parkinson’s disease, attended Highfields twice a week in his latter years and enjoyed the independence and social interaction it gave him. 

 A former Saville Row tailor, Vic was able to get back in touch with his creative flair through participating in the arts and crafts on offer.  

 It was this knowledge of the arts and crafts activities that the centre offers people that inspired Caroline to approach ECL to be a sponsor of the Buzz in the City project. 

Vic loved his time at Highfields, enjoying every aspect from travelling there on the Ugo bus to the activities and the interaction with the support workers and other customers. 

Caroline said: “Going to Highfields was brilliant for dad because it gave him a different group of people to talk to and different activities to get involved in, which he fully embraced. 

“He liked having something for himself and liked the independence going to the day centre gave him. He enjoyed all the activities but particularly the arts and crafts - he would never have done crafts like that at home, but at the centre he loved doing it. It was good for him both physically and mentally.” 

Having people to socialise with outside of his family was important to Vic. Enjoying banter and laughter with other customers and staff provided light relief from the frustrations of his health issues. 

Vic also enjoyed the singing activities, which took him back to his twenties when he was a singer and a drummer in a band. Singing also helped with the muscle paralysis and rigidity in his throat muscles caused by his Parkinson’s.  

Caroline went on to say: “Dad loved the team at Highfields, they were always so kind, so welcoming, nothing was ever too much trouble. There would be challenges with his Parkinson’s and there were limitations to what he could do, and they were always so accommodating and always found a way of making sure he could participate in whatever activity he wanted to do. They were always so kind so supportive and we really felt that he was safe with the team there.”  

It was this reassurance that he was safe with the team at Highfields that gave Caroline’s mum, Eileen peace of mind. The two days he attended Highfields, gave Eileen the space and time she needed to be herself rather than just a carer.  

Eileen said: “As Vic’s carer, those few hours each week gave me some much-needed respite. I could take care of everyday things, like getting my hair cut or going to a doctor’s appointment, knowing Vic was in a safe, welcoming environment where he was always so well looked after. Highfields meant the world to both of us. 

“Before his illness, he was such a friendly and sociable person and attending the centre twice a week gave him a chance to hold on to that part of himself. It was a break from hospitals, carers, and medical appointments - a space where he could be himself and enjoy the day.” 

It feels especially meaningful that Buzz in the City has come to Highfields. The centre gave valuable support to Vic and his family and Vic’s love of creative arts and Caroline’s close connection to the day centre has brought the project to them. Now, it’s the current customers at Highfields who are picking up the creative torch and their work will we be proudly displayed in Chelmsford for everyone to enjoy.