Creative Journeys Report 2019

Creative Journeys 55 participating in the activities also created new shared memories; secondly, the use of artefacts and music encouraged storytelling and sharing of experiences; thirdly, the activities provided an opportunity to express emotions, and expression could be both verbal and non- verbal; and fourthly, the activities were something new in the care home context and connected residents, staff and facilitators in the creative process. In relation to well-being, a paired t-test did not identify a significant difference between baseline and end point SWEMWBS scores (scores at baseline ( M =25.32, SD =5.02) and follow-up ( M =24.74, SD =4.39): t (18)=.549, p =.590). However, there were a number of challenges encountered with this measure. For example, the residents found some of the questions difficult to answer and instead of circling an answer gave an explanation as to why the statement was not relevant or meaningful to them (for example responding to the statement ‘I’ve been feeling optimistic about the future’ with “I don’t think about the future”; or responding to ‘I’ve been dealing with problems well’ with “I ignore them” or “I don’t have any problems” ). In other cases, residents answered each question twice: once for during the arts activities and once for outside the arts activities (with higher scores provided during activities). Others gave context to their responses, such as not feeling a sense of well-being due to health problems, but explained that the “activities give me a big lift - I love it” and “I feel a lot better since coming to the group” . Qualitative interview data alongside these comments also indicated that there was an improvement in mental well-being. Residents and care home staff members expressed that the residents’ experience of the arts programme was positive; in terms of improved mood and well-being, enjoyment, positive anticipation and enthusiasm, humour/laughter/playfulness, and it being described as a highlight of the day, for example: It creates a sense of well-being. (Stage one activities coordinator) For some people, it was a really positive mood- changer… there were some… moments of real joy for people... (Stage one arts facilitator) They were up and ready in bed or in their chairs before I’d even said, “It’s Wednesday.”… They all loved it, very much. (Stage one activities coordinator) …they give you a lift. That’s what I liked about it, because if you are down in the doldrums, you can talk to them…They lift you out of it again. That’s what I like about it. (Stage one resident) It is also important to consider that for the residents there was marked sadness upon the arts programme ending and them wanting it to continue. This is important context as the end-point questionnaires were completed a few days after the programme had finished. The mood was sombre due to the programme having ended and them wishing it would continue, and describing missing the arts facilitators. This was also evident from the interviews: I thought it was very, very sad when we all said bye, actually, really, really sad. Of course, at night-time I had my little shower from there [gesturing to eyes] . (Stage one resident)