Out of all of this came my idea for the ‘Heroes of Shepley’ Collection – free portraits for people who have kept my village going through the pandemic. It is very much a celebration of their achievements in these extreme circumstances
Admiral Nurse support
After Rachel was nominated by Dementia UK, Nigel packed his easel and brushes and went off to meet Rachel. However it wasn’t until halfway through Rachel’s portrait when Nigel asked if she is the same Rachel supporting his mother-in-law with dementia and his wife. By a stroke of coincidence, it was!
Rachel started supporting the family following the diagnosis of vascular dementia in Nigel’s mother-in-law. They needed practical and emotional help to support some of the more challenging symptoms of dementia in his mother-in-law. This included hallucinations, delusions and denial from his mother-in-law that she even had the condition.
Rachel gave them advice on how to distract her when angry or anxious, constantly keeping in touch with them during lockdown to listen and address their concerns, and even ringing up the council to quicken their access to support. Nigel says that without Rachel, the family would have been more stressed, anxious and completely worn out.