A specialist care worker from Dundee has been showing off his art skills as he competes in the Channel 4 programme Drawers Off, running each evening this week.
Craig Cairnie, a Senior Support Worker with specialist care group ASC in Balbeggie, Perthshire, surprised his co-workers and service users when he announced he would be appearing in the second season of the Channel 4 life drawing competition.
Presented by comedian Jenny Éclair, Drawers Off is a TV series where groups of five amateur artists take a life drawing class each week, capturing nudes on canvas to win a cash prize.
Whilst the programme is pre-recorded, the results for his cohort won’t be revealed until the final show this Friday. And while his colleagues from ASC are excitedly tuning in every evening to watch, Craig must keep the outcome close to his chest until the results air.
A graduate in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, part of the University of Dundee, Craig had fallen away from drawing simply from the busyness of everyday working life at ASC, where adults with perceived challenging behaviour and learning disabilities are supported to life as full lives as possible.
“I’ve always loved art. It’s been one of the things I feel like I’ve been good at since I was a kid. I feel the one constant that’s been in my life has been drawing,” said Craig, who lives in Dundee. “When you’ve got that time limit like there is in Drawers Off, there’s no time to be precious, you just need to get stuck in. So, it’s a challenge to see what can I actually do in 90 mins.”
A highly valued member of his work team, Craig is also a Positive Behavioural Mentor at ASC, part of Balhousie Care Group and the only facility of its kind in Scotland. He said: “My work at ASC can be challenging at times but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. It feels great to be part of such an incredible team that works tirelessly to give the best person-centred care to each service user and supports them to have the best possible life.
“I had a great time filming this show - met amazing people and stepped out of my comfort zone. It was nerve-wracking but a fun challenge.”
Leanne Fairburn, Manager at ASC, said: “We’re so proud to see Craig excelling at his art. We know how brilliant he is in his role here and he’s so well-loved by our service users, so it’s fabulous to see him showing off his artistic talent too. All the service users and staff are loving seeing him on their TVs and excited to see the results at the end of the week!”
Craig features in week three, this week 13-17 June, every evening at 5.30pm. In Monday’s introductory episode for this group, host Jenny Éclair, commented on his life portrait, “A very proper classical piece of work. You have a skill and you have a talent, it’s a terrible shame to waste it and ignore it.”
At the end of each episode, the contestants judge the others’ work and the highest scoring goes into the winners’ gallery for a final vote at the end of the week. The winning artist takes home the £1000 prize. Craig’s work from Monday’s episode won the session, so it’s all to play for. All episodes can be seen on the Channel 4 catch-up app – All 4.
For more information on ASC visit https://asc-living.co.uk/
For more information on Balhousie Care Group visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk
Find more of Craig Cairnie’s art on Instagram @craigcairnie.art and Facebook @Craig Cairnie Art
For media enquiries please contact Melanie Brockway on melanie.brockway@balhousiecare.co.uk or call 01738 254254/ 07492 163614.
Notes to Editors
About ASC
ASC is home to adults with challenging behaviour and learning disabilities: part of the Balhousie Care Group. Service users are supported to achieve their best and reach their full potential.
The service is tailored to the individual. Person-centred care is Balhousie Care Group philosophy. Staff are chosen carefully: they are not carers, but support workers. Service users and staff are on first name terms and the staff are led by service users’ needs and wants.
ASC is their home, which is why service users choose paint colours, décor – and paint themselves - activities and field trips. Getting out of the home environment is as important as being happy inside it: service users go for walks, take day trips, and go into town, as well as regular visits to the in-house carpentry workshop to relax, chill and create.
Balhousie Care Group follow and encourage positive behavioural support, prevention and early intervention, mental and physical health support and families as stakeholder partners.
About Balhousie Care Group
Balhousie Care Group was formed 30 years ago to fill a gap in quality residential care in North East Scotland. Today, with 26 homes in the area, it is one of the leading providers of care for the elderly in Scotland, providing care to over 900 residents.
Balhousie Care prides itself on its person-centred approach to care. Putting people right at the forefront of everything they do; it’s inclusive of everyone. They capture this philosophy through the roll out of ‘Together We’re Great’, an initiative which recognises the skills, talents, attributes and support areas for each and every person involved in the organisation. Together We’re Great aims to value individuality and promote excellence across the organisation.
A Participation Charter - a first-of-its-kind in the care home sector - commits to residents getting a bigger say than ever in the care they receive, from writing care home policies to recruiting staff.
Balhousie Care Group is the recipient of numerous awards. These include three Scottish Care Awards, a 2021 Great British Care Award, 2022 s1Jobs Recruitment Award, 2019 Growth Business and 2018 Service Business of the Year at The Courier Business Awards, 2019 Growth Business of the Year Perthshire Chamber of Commerce STAR Award, and SME Scotland Business Man of the Year 2019 for Chairman Tony
Balhousie Care Group
Balhousie Care homes provide residents with a happy, friendly, safe and caring environment coupled with an exceedingly high level of accommodation.
