Between October 2019 and March 2023, we partnered with Arts Charity, Magic Me and four of our care homes in Essex for an artist residency programme, which involved four leading arts organisations who introduced the people living in these homes to immersive arts and creativity.
The arts organisations: New Adventures, Fevered Sleep, curious directive and Gecko each linked with an Excelcare Home for the duration of the project to host activity sessions with people, teaching them new skills and showcasing their art forms. The project aimed to build relationships between artists and the people who live and work in our homes through participation in creative arts, and to increase the understanding and potential of embedding creativity in care homes.
In collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University and funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the project was observed and researched to draw conclusions about its success as well as the overall impact it had on people living in our care homes. The research and findings from the project aimed to set a blueprint for bringing contemporary art forms into care homes, allowing for similar future projects and impact.
Magic Me, has since taken these findings from the project with the support from the arts organisations and team members working in our care homes and developed a free resource called ‘DARE TO IMAGINE: a care home’s guide to creativity.’
It has been written with input from Care Team members to ensure it takes into account the unique needs of care homes and is meant to benefit the whole care home community, including family and friends.
This resource contains ideas and guidance around introducing creativity into a care home and includes engaging 5-minute activities and real-life examples taken from the four-year residency program.
We hope this activity resource helps to inspire care homes around the country to think outside the box and introduce people to new art forms. We understand that not every care home will have a long-term partnership with an arts company but Magic Me and all the partners have thought and tested carefully about how care homes can build creativity into their everyday.
We encourage you to explore this new resource and share it widely within your networks. Together, let's spread the joy and magic of creativity in care homes everywhere!
Here’s what some of the people involved in the project had to say about it:
“By just beginning the process something magical will happen, you might not know the ending but that’s okay, you will find it along the way” Artist, Artists’ Residencies in Care Homes
I passionately believe that just because someone lives in a care home they don’t stop being entitled to high-quality arts and culture…that is more than just something to pass the time.“ Susan Langford, Magic Me Founder & Director
“At Excelcare, this resource will be shared with all our care homes, ensuring that people have the chance to explore modern art forms and experience the positive impact on their health and wellbeing. We eagerly anticipate our homes embracing modern art with the assistance of this invaluable resource,” said Director of Communications, Engagement & Marketing, Sadie Munro.