A systems approach could improve the lottery of arts provision in care homes

Today (23 September), the Baring Foundation is launching a new report sets out how a systems approach – involving both the arts and social care sectors – could help make access to arts and culture more widely available in care homes.

Tomorrow (24 September) is the National Day of Arts in Care Homes, and a number of care homes in England will be organising creative events, and inviting in friends, family and the community to celebrate.

However, access to creativity and cultural activity in England’s c.15,000 residential and nursing homes is a lottery of provision, often dependent on the occasional champion, such as a manager who recognises the well-established benefits of integrating the arts in care settings.

This new report – Every Care Home a Creative Home – has 20 recommendations for Government, care homes, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), care home infrastructure bodies, arts organisations, artists and arts funders.

Many of the changes needed would take little or no resources. In particular, the report calls for:

• the Care Quality Commission to increase its focus on this issue, including through its communications and its inspections
• for Government policy to make clear that creativity and culture are human rights and part of modern social care, including in Build Back Better: Our Plan for Health and Social Care
• for the Arts Council England to investigate the value of a light touch version of the Artsmark used in educational settings for use in care homes, and to consider a specific funding initiative for work in care homes.

Read the full report here.

Read the full set of recommendations here.

Editors’ Notes

1. National Day of Arts in Care Homes happens on the 24 September each year. This is the third Annual Day. It is run by the National Activity Providers’ Association (NAPA) and funded by the Baring Foundation and the Rayne Foundation. You can find out more about this year’s programme in their press release here.
2. From 2010-2019 the Baring Foundation’s Arts funding programme focused on supporting participatory arts with people over the age of 60, including people living in care homes. The Foundation continues to support Arts in Care Homes Day and has published extensively on the topic of arts in care. www.baringfoundation.org.uk
3. The Rayne Foundation addresses entrenched social issues through the arts, health, wellbeing, and education. www.raynefoundation.org.uk
4. Image: Bridgeside Lodge Care Home (Islington) resident John talks with activities coordinator Yvette about love in honour of Valentine’s Day (February 2022)! John was thought to have three months to live when he was admitted in November 2017. Today he is thriving and is the life and soul of the party. Guitar lessons with The Spitz have eased his anxiety and raised his confidence and social interaction with care staff and fellow residents. Photo © Hannah Lovell, courtesy of The Spitz.