Creative Journeys Report 2019

Creative Journeys 51 community groups are usually trained artists (e.g. actors, musicians, or dancers) whereas activities coordinators may come from a range of different backgrounds and are responsible for organising a range of activities for the residents in a home; these activities may or may not be arts or cultural activities. Arts facilitators require a broad range of skills that go beyond the art form itself, they need to be able to put people at their ease, make sessions enjoyable, and accommodate a range of abilities (Swindells et al., 2016). Everyone interviewed in stage one, and those in the stage two arts organisation focus group, talked about the nature of the arts facilitators and how they were sensitive, flexible and responsive to the needs of residents, but were also extremely passionate and genuinely interested in working with each of them (e.g. welcoming everyone to each session, speaking to everyone during tea breaks, taking time to get to know each resident). I think they were just happy and bubbly, and they got involved with everybody... Every single person they made a fuss of and showed attention... (Stage one staff member) Despite taking distinct approaches depending on their art form, these approaches were all person-centred, and aimed to build a trusting relationship with the group members. The person-centred approach was also true of the wider arts team, such as the musicians working with Green Candle and Sinfonia Viva with Orchestras Live, who were also able to engage with the residents, often sitting around in the circle with residents which brought the musical experience even closer. A good example of this was the baritone singer working with Sinfonia Viva with Orchestras Live sitting in the audience at the performance and chatting to the residents and also serving tea to them before the performance. Oh well, I absolutely adored it. I loved it. They made me feel close, at home and at ease. It was kind, and generous, and thoughtful... They made you laugh as well. (Stage one resident) To achieve this person-centred approach, the arts facilitators needed to have the appropriate talent and skills not only in the art form, but also in communication and facilitation; for example giving support, instruction, encouragement and validation to participants. Arts facilitators often undertook additional research between sessions, finding more out about residents and the topics residents raised in conversations in order to personalise the resources used in following sessions. The success of the session was dependent on effective preparation and research based on the interests or nature of the group to ensure that the activities were meaningful and appropriate, and that objects from the past, such as music, and scarves to dance with were available. I think the skill that goes with our work… is about being able to improvise and being able to be incredibly flexible… and also to do a bit of research… improvisation, validation, humour, flexibility and research. (Stage one arts facilitator) During the sessions, arts facilitators demonstrated their flexibility and were able to improvise and adapt to the capabilities and mood of residents: they were described as “respectful” and “patient” and as one resident put it, they were “mindful of the people, and the condition that some have” . They used humour and laughter to engage with the residents, giving the residents an “invitation to play” .