Creative Journeys Report 2019

Creative Journeys 35 You get to learn so much information about their life, and what their story is. I think that helps when you’re giving their care. So, you understand things more. It does influence how you perceive and give their personal care… because you’ve learnt so much about them in previous activities which is lovely. (Stage two staff member). However, this was a two way process, and a noteworthy point raised in the survey was how residents learnt about other cultures from staff who come from outside the UK. In the survey, participants were asked as to whether arts activities in the care home had an impact on the relationships between staff and residents. Most responses to this question were positive, with working together on the activity being seen to help improve the bond between staff and the residents, and the activity also providing a talking point as discussed previously. Similarly in the stage two interviews arts activities were perceived to give staff an opportunity to gain knowledge of residents’ interests and spend quality time with them. I think the whole point of art is it brings them all together and it’s the reminiscence side of it that comes out which you wouldn’t get if you were just sitting here chatting, because it triggers something off. (Stage two staff member) It was also interesting that one respondent referred to it as improving and building relationships between staff, with an example given of staff working in a team to ensure particular arts activities or events took place. In the survey when asked about the impact on staff this similarly evoked positive responses with three quarters of respondents agreeing that arts activities taking place in care homes could have a positive impact on the staff. It was thought that it improved staff morale as they enjoyed seeing residents interacting during the activity, and that when residents were taking part in activities it took away some of the strain from care staff. Yes staff do enjoy the activities. It helps when we have entertainers in as it can free up some time. It can mean the team enjoy an activity with the residents, it makes it a fun place to work. (Survey respondent) One respondent’s answer helps to illuminate how the arts help to build relationships between staff and residents. Again shared interests, laughing together, having fun together makes a bond stronger, getting to know families and develops easier communication. (Survey respondent) During the observations of each of the arts organisations it was noted that there were examples where the activities coordinators and other members of staff would touch the residents, offering support and encouragement. For example during the Age Exchange sessions the activities coordinator would sometimes spontaneously hold hands with, hug or stroke the arm of a resident when they were sharing emotional memories or were feeling uncomfortable or unsure. In another session the activities coordinator and a resident each put on a different hat and they both laughed together and posed for a photo, leaning in close to each other.