Creative Journeys Report 2019

Creative Journeys 21 Box 2: Green Candle Dance Company at Rambert Care Home A typical session started by singing a “hello” song, where the group would sing hello to each individual by name, followed by shaking hands with or squeezing the shoulder of the person next to them. This was followed by a warm up with a series of actions/dance moves such as rubbing their legs, doing specific arm or foot movements, shimmying, or striking a pose. The facilitator usually introduced a theme for each session, for example the seaside, and dance moves or props would follow this theme. Activities included dancing with a partner, either standing or sitting depending on individual abilities; using props such as ribbons, scarves, origami birds or feathers to dance with; discussing objects such as flowers or pictures of scenery to inspire dance moves, and opportunities for individuals to lead freestyle dancing with everyone else copying. Towards the end of the sessions there would be a parachute in the middle of the group that each resident would hold and then objects (such as feathers, or origami birds) would be thrown into the parachute and the residents would move it up and down whilst trying to keep the objects on the parachute. The sessions would end with the facilitator asking the group to thank the person next to them for dancing with them today. Bridgewater Care Home Bridgewater Care Home was situated in a historical building in the countryside, with a total of 47 residents at the time of the arts programme; the home provided residential care and care for people with cognitive impairment, including people with dementia. With two activities coordinators, the home was very active, with various opportunities to be a part of different activities and weekly outings to the pub, local community locations or to other care homes, which was possible as the care home had their own mini bus. Unfortunately, due to problems with the building, Bridgewater Care Home closed soon after the Sinfonia Viva with Orchestras Live programme ended and before the three month follow-up interviews could take place. Some of the residents and staff were able to relocate to a different care home together, but most were relocated elsewhere. This reflected the wider context of the care sector in which change happens frequently and quickly.