Sips and Smiles is a UK-based Community Micro-enterprise in Long Melford Suffolk for wellbeing care support offering home visits for person-centred companionship, emotional support , and home support, and as well as group engagement in care homes. I use where possible various creative activities, reflective conversations and inspiring outings as combination of practical tools for connection, communication, and day-to-day wellbeing, supporting adults and seniors living with challenging mental and physical health, people living with dementia, and families who want care that feels human.

The Story

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They say a move across borders changes you, but when I relocated to the UK, it felt like the ground had been completely pulled from under me. Despite three decades as a professional artist and an education in Social Sciences, I faced a painful period of isolation and a lost sense of purpose. Everything changed when I began spending time with an acquaintance living with dementia. In those quiet hours, I realised that true healing begins in the smallest, most grounding moments, a shared smile, a warm cup of tea, and a compassionate conversation.

That experience reshaped my life's work. I believed that creativity isn’t just about paint or clay. Creativity is a way of thinking, a way of looking at the world, and a way of unlocking the human mind. Merging my artistic background with social science, I leaned into a new philosophy, before we can stimulate the body or memory, we must meet the mind exactly where it is.

This became the foundation of how I approach mental health and wellbeing. I began using reflective conversations and sensory activities to help seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those facing mental health crises process emotions and rebuild confidence. From this focus on emotional wellness, the bridge to personalised dementia care was natural. When speech fails or memory fades, creative thinking stays alive, helping individuals reach beyond the fog to find a connection back to themselves.

Today, as an artist, dementia engagement professional, and holistic wellbeing coach, I offer inclusive, personalised care support for all ages and abilities. Through this work, I see daily that creativity and emotional intelligence form a true lifeline. A smile. A connection. A way back to self.

You can find more about my independent work as an artist here.