Creative Journeys Report 2019

Creative Journeys 69 It is just different when you bring in amazing artists who are going to inspire people to think differently or to feel valued actually by having someone who is at the top of their game in their home. I think that’s quite powerful. (Arts organisations focus group) Another major challenge for providing continued arts activities is high staff turnover and the volatility of the wider care sector making it difficult to maintain a care home culture that is conducive to arts participation. For example, residents who participated in stage one case studies identified the lack of staff who are essential in helping them get to activities or to visit people they had met during activities, therefore inhibiting sustained relationships. I intended to go to some groups and I never get there because we’ve had a late lunch or early breakfast, or something, and one misses the messages that go up and down, “This one’s upstairs. That one’s downstairs” and by the time I get to it it’s half over so it’s not worth going. (Stage one resident) We’re restricted in what we can do here. They’ve only got so many – how can I say – nurses or whatever that can help you out. (Stage one resident). For example, at the three month follow-up interviews in stage one, a number of staff members had changed roles or moved on, including one in particular who now worked in the office so residents didn’t get the chance to see her. In addition, a resident from the stage two interviews referred to the many different staff members she had seen over the years. Actually, I possibly see less of her because she’s got a new position now. So, she’s in the office and, let’s say, enclosed. So, I don’t see her very often to have a chat. (Stage one resident) I know the girls. They’re lovely. I’ve seen so many come and go. I’ve been here six years… Six years, so I’ve seen quite a few go. (Stage two resident) Furthermore, Bridgewater Care Home unfortunately closed down shortly after the Sinfonia Viva with Orchestras Live programme, and both staff and residents were placed in other homes. However, in the initial interviews, staff expressed a desire to continue with the learning they had gained from the arts programme and to continue to advocate for arts activities for residents in their new homes. Another year on and the activities coordinators had left Vaudeville Care Home. Even when there was staff motivation and capacity to provide arts activities, stage two findings highlighted the need for adequate funding to enable these aspirations; for example access to transport for cultural trips. Issues of funding in both the care sector and the arts sector are considered further in the discussion.