Tracy leading an art session at Ancaster House
Community
New technology sparks creativity and laughter in care homes Last winter, at a time when so many older people were dealing with feelings of loneliness and isolation, four pilot projects across Scotland explored how creative activity could be delivered remotely. In a new publication, Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, looks at these unique partnerships between artists, care homes and participants, and shares ten insights to help support and inspire others who’d like to build on this work in the future. The four projects ran over several weeks between November 2020 and March 2021. Choreographer Chris Stuart-Wilson collaborated with Anderson’s Care Home in Elgin to create dance routines and physical movements to music, while visual artist Tracy Gorman worked on an arts and crafts-based project with Ancaster House Care Home in Crieff. Photographer Jenny Wicks ran activities with Lizdean Nursing Home in Kilmarnock. Lesley Wilson led Telephone Stories, a telephone-based project capturing the stories of older people on Skye. All the projects these artists were working on would once have only been delivered face to face. Now, they’re using platforms like Zoom and interacting with participants via TV and computer screens, or in Lesley Wilson’s case, using the telephone. The vital role of care home staff is one of the clearest learning points from these projects. The artists described how their energy, enthusiasm, and
practical support on the ground meant they were their “eyes and ears”. They received and quarantined materials in advance, tested technology and equipment, provided creative support during sessions and were crucial in shaping the atmosphere in the room. Care home staff essentially became the artists’ co-facilitators. Having access to the right technology was essential, and in many cases took an incredible amount of perseverance and dedication to achieve. However, the positive impact was clear. “This project has brought so much happiness and laughter to the residents that they don’t want it to end. This has been such a difficult year for us all and since this project began, our residents began to look forward to something again. It has kept them active and thinking about it throughout the week”, said Katie, a staff member at Anderson’s. For the staff, the projects led to new kinds of relationships being forged between themselves and with residents, based on sharing, learning and enjoying an activity together. The full publication is available at www.luminatescotland.org. A small number of printed copies are available to order from info@luminatescotland.org or by calling 0131 668 8056.
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