Brighton ceramicist with dementia has works sold to help fund care

Judith Fisher, 84, who lives near Uckfield with her husband and primary carer Stuart, has severe dementia and has been bedbound for the last year.

To help raise funds for the cost of caring for Judith, Judith’s carer Ali has been helping Stuart to show her work on social media as well as organise viewings and sales.

Stuart said: "We're not unique - a lot of people are in the same boat. Social services don't have any money and East Sussex Council are having to close down all these centres." 

The support and care patients may need is organised by the NHS and the adult social services department of your local council. 

In East Sussex care and support services are not free. Most people will pay some money towards their care costs. The amount you pay is based on what you can afford, the county council states.

Some people have to pay the full cost for their care and support. But the council states that if you live in and own your home, it will not include the value when they assess how much you will pay towards home care.

Born in 1940 in Brighton, Judith trained at Brighton College of Art and later bought her first home in the city with Stuart, who made a pottery studio for his wife in the basement.

Many people have arranged to view the extensive collection of Judith's work (Image: Supplied)

Judith became adept in Raku, a Japanese technique of pottery earning her the description of an “elemental alchemist” from The Ceramic Review. She became well known as a potter and as a member of Sussex Guild.

Stuart and Ali have been taken aback by the level of interest, with many arranging to privately view and purchase Judith’s work.   

Ali Said: “Since we've advertised, we've had a lot of her past customers reach out and say how much they love her work. One lady said her mother used to buy Judith's work and they are now family heirlooms. I love her pottery and illustrations, and it would be nice to see her work appreciated and loved, I'd buy more if I could but I don't have the space.”

East Sussex County Council has earmarked the Phoenix Centre in Lewes and Linden Centre in Eastbourne as part of their proposed cuts.

A spokeswoman for East Sussex County Council said: "We are currently consulting on the closure of two day centres as the authority works to address an expected funding gap of £55million next year.  However, no decisions will be made before the responses to the consultation are received and analysed, and alternatives to closing services will be considered.

"In addition, if the present arrangements were stopped, alternative services would be offered to those people with eligible needs under the Care Act, although these may be met in a different way or through a different service.

"A decision will be made by full council when it sets the budget in February 2025."