Issue 151 28.06.23
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
Creative arts approach is showcased AN ARTS research project exploring how creativity can promote the wellbeing of people living with dementia in Chester has been unveiled for public viewing. Seen and Heard – Adventures in Arts and Dementia showcases the latest chapter in the collaboration between notfor-profit care operator Belong Chester and the Bluecoat, Liverpool’s contemporary arts centre. Now available for viewing, their activities in sculpture, dance, sound art, painting and drawing will come to life through an exhibition at the Grosvenor Museum, with a dedicated space contextualising dementia and a film screening featuring interviews with the artists and participants. Work including ceramics, paintings, postcards and even tongue twisters will be on display, alongside a timeline of the wider Where the Arts Belong project which has seen artists working with Belong’s customers from across the region since 2019. Caroline Baker, head of dementia and care quality at Belong, added: “Our four-year collaboration with the Bluecoat has proven to be highly successful, with our customers relishing the opportunity to work alongside the artists, learning new skills and
enjoying the delights of artistic expression. We invite everyone to join us at the Grosvenor Museum to see the work for themselves.” The relationship with Chester commenced in the lead-up to the care village’s opening last summer, when the community began taking part in Meet and Make Art workshops at the museum. The initiative continues today, and a radio play created by the group is also to be included in the new exhibition. Where the Arts Belong has earned numerous awards for enhancing the lives of its participants, for whom researchers have noted benefits including improved quality of life, increased confidence, enhanced cognitive capacity and feeling a sense of community and inclusion. A guide featuring activities from the project entitled ‘Little Golden Moments’, has launched to provide ideas for meaningful occupation for anyone caring for someone living with dementia. In September, a symposium to be held in Chester will bring together the project’s findings, explore how it has helped those involved and discuss the wider implications for the use of arts in care environments. Seen and Heard – Adventures in Art and Dementia is open for viewing until the autumn.
Volunteer Rita Roth OBE received the prestigious Point of Light award from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Jewish Care’s annual dinner for her dedication and achievement in supporting the community and, in particular, Rosetrees care home. 2023 marks Rita’s 60th year of volunteering for Jewish and wider causes. As a teenager she volunteered at a local hospital, trained as a youth manager for her local Jewish Youth Club and volunteered for Jewish Care, as well as being chair of her local League of Jewish Women. Alongside her professional roles, Rita continued with her youth and voluntary work with older people. She was one of the founding members of the company’s Meals on Wheels service in 1973, there from the start, cooking food from her kitchen, delivering soup and hot meals to people at home, as well as recruiting local volunteers.
Sports day changes perceptions RESIDENTS and school children in Alloa have taken part in a joint sports day at Meallmore Group’s Parklands care home as part of an intergenerational programme. Residents and staff from Parklands hosted the event at the care home with Primary 7 pupils from St Mungo’s RC Primary School. The two generations came together for sports day classics including a relay and an egg and spoon race, as well as other events. It was the most recent event of their intergenerational programme which has been running since November 2022. Every week, pupils from the school visit those living at Parklands. Together, residents and children spend time chatting, playing games, reading, painting and listening to music. Since the programme’s inception,
residents and pupils have formed ties and learnt to appreciate the other generation in new, different ways. Rick Murray, area manager for Meallmore said: “Creating meaningful activities and lifestyle options is a huge part of the work we do at Meallmore. This intergenerational programme at Parklands helps residents build up new relationships and allows them to share experiences and their life stories with younger people. “Welcoming the pupils is a weekly highlight and is a real benefit to our residents and colleagues, but it also allows the children to learn. It helps them to challenge some of the perceptions of what happens when you get older, as well as break down preconceptions of care home living. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
Book a demonstration today by calling 01925 386800 or visit www.carebeans.co.uk