Every Care Home a Creative Home

A systems approach to personalised creativity and culture

The report describes the need for a systemic approach through the arts in care homes, involving residents, families, carers and stakeholders (from cultural organisations, to artists, to funders) in order to be effective in tangibly improving the quality of life of both the resident population and the staff. The report highlights the outcome of a number of interventions that English nursing and retirement homes have carried out with the collaboration of arts organisations: plays, theatre performances, readings, artist residencies, cultural visits, writing and visual arts. A central point is listening to the needs and wishes of each individual resident, starting from the moment they settle in the home. The report concludes with 20 very practical recommendations, suggesting that art and creativity should be integrated into each resident's care plan and that more attention should be paid to this issue through visits.