There is something very special about bringing together all the things that make us smile. Favourite foods, much-loved animals, memorable places, hobbies, colours, music, television programmes and people can all tell a story about who we are.
Recently, we spent time creating personal montages filled with pictures of our favourite things. It was a wonderfully creative activity, but it was also much more than simply cutting, arranging and sticking images onto a page. Each montage became a personal celebration of the individual who made it.
Taking Time to Reflect
Choosing what to include encouraged everyone to pause and think about the things that are important to them.
Sometimes our preferences come to mind immediately. We may know our favourite colour, meal or singer without needing to think twice. Other choices can take a little longer, giving us the opportunity to remember a special experience, consider something we would like to try or rediscover an interest we have not spoken about for a while.
This gentle process of personal reflection can help people recognise what brings them happiness, comfort, excitement or inspiration. There are no right or wrong answers. Every montage is shaped entirely by the person creating it.
Sharing Our Preferences
Creating the montages also offered a relaxed and enjoyable way to share preferences with others.
As people selected their images, conversations naturally began. Why is that particular animal a favourite? What makes that holiday destination so appealing? Which song always encourages someone to dance? What memories are connected to a certain food or activity?
These conversations help us learn more about one another. They can reveal shared interests, inspire future activities and encourage people to talk about their experiences, memories and ambitions.
For our team, understanding individual likes and dislikes is an important part of providing personalised support. Activities such as this give people another way to communicate what matters to them, whether through conversation, pictures, colours or the choices they make.
Watching Each Montage Take Shape
One of the most enjoyable parts of the activity was watching every montage gradually come together.
At the beginning, there was a blank page and a collection of possible images. As decisions were made, each page began to develop its own personality. Some montages were bright and colourful, while others followed a particular theme. Some were carefully arranged, and others grew more spontaneously as new favourites were discovered.
Everyone could choose where their pictures should go and how the finished montage should look. This supported decision-making, concentration and creativity while allowing each person to work at their own pace.
There was a real sense of satisfaction as the final pictures were added and everyone could step back to admire what they had created.
A Personal Form of Expression
Creative activities can provide valuable opportunities for self-expression. Not everyone finds it easy to explain their feelings, interests or preferences using words alone. A visual montage can offer another way to communicate.
The finished pieces told us something about each person without needing lengthy explanations. They reflected individual personalities, passions, memories and choices.
They could also be used as conversation starters with friends, relatives and team members. Looking at a completed montage together provides an opportunity to ask questions, share stories and celebrate the interests that make each person unique.
Celebrating Individuality
Although everyone took part in the same activity, no two montages looked the same. That was exactly what made them so wonderful.
Each creation was personal, meaningful and completely individual. Together, they provided a colourful reminder that everyone has their own preferences, experiences and ways of expressing themselves.
At Goldcrest and Holland House, we believe that recognising and celebrating individuality is an important part of supporting people to lead fulfilling lives. By making time for personal choices, creative expression and enjoyable conversations, we can continue learning about the people we support and the things that matter most to them. Our personal montages were filled with favourite things, but they also represented something much bigger: choice, identity, confidence and the freedom to proudly say, “This is what I like, and this is part of who I am.”