Care Home Group Celebrates Arts in Care Week with Inspiring Arts Activities
Maria Mallaband Care Group, has taken part in the NAPA Arts in Care Week, a celebration of the power of the arts to enrich the lives of those living in care homes.
The care home group, which has more than 80 homes across the country, took part in the special week from 18-24 September, leading up to the National Day of Arts in Care Homes on September 24.
Organised by the National Activities Providers Association (NAPA) this annual celebration, champions the health and wellbeing benefits of arts and creative engagement in care provision.
Sally Harrison-Exton, Head of Lifestyle and Marketing at MMCG, said: “Studies have shown, and we know from our own experience, that engagement with the arts can have a transformative impact on the lives of those living in care homes.
“It’s wonderful for building relationships, improving engagement and promoting both mental and emotional well-being. As well as being great fun, arts activities stimulate cognitive function, improve mood and provide an opportunity for self-expression.
“They are a huge part of life at MMCG homes, so we were thrilled to take part in this week of celebration and the National Day of Arts in Care Homes, with homes across the group laying on a multitude of art activities.”
The theme of this year’s event was ‘Reflections’. NAPA took the opportunity to reflect with its members on the success of their art programmes so far and what is needed going forward to embed the arts into care provision. NAPA also invited homes to organise their own events and take part in the creative challenge #DrawingOnMemories throughout the week.
Throughout Arts in Care Week, MMCG homes hosted a diverse range of arts activities tailored to the interests and abilities of those living with them.
These included painting and drawing workshops, such as still life painting and self-portraits, and craft activities including making sun catchers and stained-glass windows, tie dye t-shirt making, pottery painting, creating collages, mask making, creating flower displays and cake decorating.
Homes also arranged gallery visits, hosted art exhibitions, invited local schools in to take part in art workshops, held ballet and opera days, poem writing events and drama clubs too.
Bowerfield Court in Stockport laid on a new art activity every day and staff also arranged daily trips throughout the week, taking different individuals living at the home to Manchester Art Gallery to see the installations and displayed works.
Home Manager Helen Wearing, at said:“We love to get creative to foster a vibrant and fulfilling environment for those living with us, and the Arts in Care Week aligns perfectly with that commitment.
“It was wonderful to see the power of art to boost confidence and wellbeing for everyone – from those who have enjoyed being creative all their lives, to those who haven’t attempted to draw or make something since childhood. It was a brilliant week, and so inspiring to see people find such joy in seeing and creating art.”
