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A simple drawing activity for a group where participants initially create small artworks on their own and then bring their separate drawings together to make a collaborative artwork.
Credit: Creative Lives/Linda Evans
Arts
52 weekly activities
Colour as writing inspiration
Use a range of resources and ideas to tap into colour as poetry and creative writing inspiration. Focus on
a specific colour that you see lots of or particularly like, and let your mind take you wherever it wants to!
Credit: Creative Writes / Nichola Charalambou. Developed in partnership with NAPA – Arts in Care Homes, Greensleeves Care & Sunrise Senior Living
52 weekly activities
Collagraph printing
Collagraph prints are a creative and experimental form of printmaking, with printing plates made from many different materials, including cardboard, yarn, fabric, leaves, or masking tape. The activity is a great way to use up scraps and encourages the use of recycled materials.
Credit: Charlotte Cranidge, developed in partnership with C&C.
52 weekly activities
Abstract Art Collage
This is a great activity for participants who don’t feel confident with art activities. The three main stages – paint, scissors and glue – could be made into separate activities for different capacity levels if preferred.
Credit: Creative Minds / Tracey Knight, developed in partnership with Lister House Nursing Home.
52 weekly activities
Two small dances (Dance and movement)
These dances offer a way to listen and observe sensations and small movements within the body. For both dances it is helpful if the facilitator does them both at the same time as the group to serve as a demonstration.
Credit: Mary Prestidge / Bluecoat, developed in partnership with Belong.
52 weekly activities
Something to talk about
A two-session activity that encourages participants to curate their own set of personal objects into something that offers the opportunity for reflective discussion.
Credit: Roger Hill / Bluecoat, developed in partnership with Belong.
52 weekly activities
Sashiko stitching
Sashiko is a mindful and peaceful activity that enables participants to share and chat. This 500-year-old technique from Japan can create both simple and more complex designs depending on the participants’ knowledge of stitching.
Credit: Derby Quad, GoldsQUAD / Phillipa Larkin.
Art by Post: Explore and Inspire
The Southbank Centre in partnership with NAPA, Nightingale Hammerson and Nenagh Watson
This booklet has been developed for anyone working in care settings, and was inspired by The Southbank Centre’s Art by Post project, which brings free creative activities direct to the door of the individuals, care-givers, practitioners and professionals most isolated by social distancing methods.
It includes a range of activities designed to take creativity into every corner of your care setting, including making nature clay prints, shadow puppets and slow looking.
52 weekly activities
Pom-pom warm-up
This activity can be a warm-up as part of a wider session or used on its own. It uses props to stimulate and enhance physical movement and seasonal feedback, develop reflexes, and bring in enjoyment and fun.
Credit: Dr Rosaria Gracia, developed in partnership with Know Dementia.
52 weekly activities
Pass the ball
A fun, dementia-friendly activity that is good fun to play in small groups. It is a lovely way to get people warmed up and can be a good icebreaker to start a longer activity or workshop.
Credit: CASPAE / Ana Campos and Joana Nunes.
52 weekly activities
Musical identities
This activity is an ideal way for facilitators and participants to find out about each other, sharing their identities and stories through music as well as being introduced to, and discovering new music.
Credit: The Orders of St John Care Trust, Monkscroft Care Centre: Sarah Davis and Beata McLean, Developed in partnership with Live Music Now: Douglas Noble and Julia Turner
52 weekly activities
Let’s do, yes let’s
This activity is a fun icebreaker or warm-up exercise. The activity should be energetic, even if your group is seated, and there should be a sense of fun, enjoyment and exploration with plenty of laughter.
Credit: Royal Exchange Theatre Elders Company /Bill and Estelle.