RESIDENTS at a sheltered housing scheme have been flexing their creativity with help from pupils and an artist from a local school.

Philip Melling, the artist in residence at St John’s School, in Epping, has been running workshops with students helping the residents of Pelly Court learn how to use clay to make pots and sculptures.

Amber Fuller, Lauren Burling and Lacey Payton all agreed to go to the Hemnall Street-based care home, and they will return with Mr Melling for more workshops each half term.

Mr Melling said: “The residents are really enjoying the workshops, and the students also get a lot out of it. Not only are they gaining experience working with clay themselves, but they also gain the experience of supporting others: skills that will benefit them a lot in the future.

“St Johns School is widening its work with the local community, and decided that delivering these workshops would be a great way of interacting with the community while helping local people and their own students.

“It’s really nice to see the young students and elderly residents having such fun together.”

Mr Melling and St John’s work is supported by Artindustry, a local arts association, to create new links with community groups through artist-led projects.

To see more of the work Mr Melling has been doing with St John’s students visit philipmelling.co.uk.