Re-engage guests finessed their artistic flair recently at a special tea party organised by volunteer Daria van Vliet.  

Daria, who volunteers for the Re-engage Glasgow Bellahouston group, invited guests to put brush to canvas and allow their inner creative energy to flourish.   

Daria, who is an illustrator and designer, said: “The pictures were really beautiful. I really was pleasantly surprised. One of the ladies had limited eyesight, and her painting turned out beautifully.  

“It was nice to do something which brought them so much joy and involved the volunteers as well. I will certainly do it again because I think it’s good for guests to do different things, something artistic. I have a lot of art material so it’s quite easy to arrange.”  

The afternoon began with tea, biscuits and a chat before guests sat before an easel. The two guests and four volunteers were given a printed version of a flower arrangement, with Daria providing a step-by-step guide to getting started before the amateur artists were encouraged to be as creative as they wished with the acrylic paints.  

Daria, 36, who ‘fell in love’ with Scotland after moving from Poland 10 years ago, added: “My hope is that these creative sessions give older people who may feel isolated something to look forward to - a social afternoon to enjoy, and a painting they can take home as a reminder of their own creativity.”