Creative Journeys Report 2019

Creative Journeys 13 3. Research design The research started in October 2016 and the fieldwork was carried out over two main stages during 2017-18. The main aim was to determine the role of creative arts and cultural participation in developing social relationships in care home settings and between care homes and the wider community. Ethical approval was received for the study from Essex County Council Research Governance Group on 30/12/2016. Although the arts activities were open to a wider range of people, the vast majority of the people who took part in the research had capacity to give their own consent to participate, with the exception of a small number of residents where family members gave assent on their behalf. Taking part in the arts activities and research was optional and some residents chose to take part in the arts activities but not contribute to the research. 3.1 Primary research question What is the impact of creative arts and cultural participation in building relationships for older people in care home settings? 3.2 Research objectives • Explore if/how creative activities may enhance social relations between older people, older people and their carers, and care homes and the wider community. • Investigate the factors that enable or impede the sustainability of creative activities in developing and maintaining relationships. • Examine the potential interaction between creative activities and relationships in reducing loneliness and social isolation, and the promotion of well-being. 3.3 Methods The study used a multi-methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data collection to explore the research questions. The research was led by the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) research team but included the Older People’s Research Group, Essex (OPRGE) in all stages of the design and process including data analysis. Involving a citizen led research group who focus on older people’s issues added unique insights as well as rigour and credibility to the research process. 3.3.1 Stage one: case studies A programme of activities were run by the three participating arts organisations: Green Candle Dance Company (participatory dance), Age Exchange (reminiscence arts), and Sinfonia Viva with Orchestras Live (orchestral experience) in three care homes: Rambert Care Home, Vaudeville Care Home, and Bridgewater Care Home (see vignettes of the arts activities and care homes in the section on “What art activities?” below and note that the names of the care homes have been changed to protect anonymity). The homes were selected by the Essex County Council on the basis of being receptive to finding new innovative ways in which to enrich the lives of their residents and based on their capacity and willingness to participate in an arts programme as well as host the research. Case studies were used to explore the impact of participating in arts activities on social relationships in each care home and the case study design involved the following methods: