Creative Journeys Report 2019

Creative Journeys 57 performance, the full orchestra dressed professionally in all black and playing in an appropriate venue (that felt grand but could also be intimate) gave a sense of occasion that felt celebratory, joyful and emotional. Residents were brought together with professional musicians and were able to create music in a way where everyone was able to participate, which in turn provided residents with validation. I think the thing that this kind of project is geared up to do is to really play to people’s strengths and that is their inner resilience and their core spirit, and I think the sense of fun. (Stage one arts facilitator) Similarly to the discussion of participatory group work, there was also a unique quality to the arts activities in that they were accessible for all, regardless of physical or cognitive impairments. There were a range of different activities within different art forms and people were able to participate to whatever extent they felt comfortable with. Activities could also be easily adapted to suit the needs of residents and the arts were therefore able to be responsive to the needs of the residents as well as meaningful. I thought there were moments when, what we were doing, allowed people to express themselves in ways that transcended their dementia. (Stage one arts facilitator) Finally, in the arts organisation focus group, the nature of the arts and how this facilitated the positive impact on residents’ social relationships was discussed. In addition to describing creativity as innately human, they also described art as a “mechanism for community” in that it is often about giving to each other, and it brings people together and connects them; allowing people to recognise something they have in common with each other. Art was seen as able to touch emotions in a unique way and facilitate reciprocity in relationships. It has the ability to touch our emotions in a way that other things don’t, doesn’t it, and it’s that special relationship we have with one or more forms of art… it’s that raw human response… it’s often live and brings people together socially but it’s also an important part of people’s lives throughout their lives. So it’s a part of their personal story and I think when you get later in life, those memories and that personal story is very important to you, particularly as it ebbs away. (Arts organisations focus group) Ultimately, the arts activities were relational and enabled a reciprocal experience, which cuts across many of the themes (e.g. residents being able to make a contribution to their relationships and to be validated for that contribution). The concept of reciprocity is explored in greater depth in the discussion. The next section considers the mediating factors of practicalities and preparation, as well as care home capacity and culture, within the care context that may enable or inhibit the impact of participatory arts on the social relationships of residents.