Developing everyday creative activities is a good way of bringing more art into your homes. Residents and staff that are put off by the term ‘the arts’ may be more willing to take part in craft, reminiscence or cooking related activities.
Everyday creativity
Creative Minds
Creative Minds deliver accessible art sessions in care homes. They have a nationwide community of 40 artists and are able to deliver a diverse range of sessions exploring visual art, crafts and sculpture. Book a session
Region: Nationwide
Social Care Institute for Excellence
SCIE, NAPA
Written in association with NAPA, the SCIE website has a dedicated page aimed at encouraging participation in the arts for people living in care homes.
Packed full of information about a wide range of arts activities including creative writing, visual arts, dance, using puppets, sculpture, music, pottery, digital arts, gardening and everyday creativity.
NAPA, National Activity Providers Association
NAPA is an expert in providing activities for people in care settings. NAPA staff and trainers are all experienced in the care industry, specifically in activity provision. To find available courses:
Treasury of arts activities for older people
Liz Postlethwaite, The Baring Foundation
Publication, compiling 50 arts activities, long and short, for use in any setting with older people. See online copy.
Hard copies are available from The Baring Foundation whilst stocks last.
A Pocket Guide to Arts Activities for People with Dementia
Collective Encounters
This toolkit produced by Collective Encounters was the result of three years of creative work in Merseyside with the carers of people living with dementia.
Contains resources and guidance on how to use the arts to engage more effectively with people who are living with dementia.
Arts 4 Dementia
Arts 4 Dementia is a UK charity, working with arts venues to:
- Provide training and develop arts programmes.
- Empower and inspire people with early-stage dementia and carers through artistic stimulation.
- Help preserve fulfilling active life together, for longer at home.
cARTrefu
Age Cymru (The Baring Foundation)
Watch a film about cARTrefu, a project by Age Cymru to improve access to quality arts experiences for older people in residential care.
The cARTrefu Activity Pack provides creative ideas for care home staff and residents.
Everyday Creativity in Later Life: Art, Technology and Community
Dr Jonathan Gross, 64 million Artists (The Baring Foundation)
Report summarising the activity and findings of the Do, Think, Share action research project run by 64 Million Artists in collaboration with Leicester Ageing Together (LAT). The overarching aim of this report is to examine the implications of that project for understanding the roles of creativity and digital technology in later life.
The Storybox Project
Small Things
A social enterprise using creativity and creative engagement to fuel learning, change and development.
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