The Guardian. Visions of hope: UK care home residents' lockdown art

Puffin, painted by Joyce, a resident at Richmond Villages Retirement Home in Northampton Photograph: Creative Minds

Next Thursday is the first national day of arts in care homes, celebrating the contribution of creativity to enhancing residents’ quality of life. Here the National Activity Providers Association shares examples of residents’ artwork created during the pandemic. ‘It helps residents stay healthy’: the benefits of arts in care homes

Ken was a black cab driver and had never painted before he moved to Appleby House in Epsom, Surrey, in 2018. Discovering his creativity at the age of 81 has given him a new lease of life; staff have noted how engaged he is with his art and that he is always very moved by their praise of his work. He enjoys painting animals, particularly dogs (he has a picture of his own dog by his bed). A wall in the care home displays his art. This is one of Ken’s most recent paintings, done during lockdown. Photograph: Care UK






Each year, to mark Pride, residents at Tremona care home in Watford, Hertfordshire create a work of art to go on display in celebration and as a reminder that everyone is welcome. This year’s event included a talk about famous LGBTQ people across history, followed by a discussion on their achievements and the challenges and prejudice they had faced. Staff and residents then helped create a “rainbow tree of understanding”, to highlight the idea that the more we talk and get to know, the more understanding grows.  Photograph: B&M Care Homes





When former primary school teacher Milly, who lives with dementia, arrived at Appleby House in Epsom, Surrey, in 2018, she was very withdrawn and showed no interest in interacting with staff or other residents. Having never painted before, she was encouraged to try through a visit to the home by local primary school children. Painted during lockdown, this is Milly’s entry for a competition for artists aged over 90. Milly grew up on the west coast of Ireland and has happy memories of walking along the coast with her parents. Photograph: Care UK






Ian comes from an artistic background; he has always been an artist and his children are artists too. It is an important part of his identity and staff at Craigielea care home in Renfrew, Scotland, encourage and support Ian, who is living with dementia, to continue his art work. Throughout lockdown, Ian has drawn every day. Photograph: Holmes Care Group





Residents at Muriel Street resource centre in Islington, London, created these miniature “people” after sharing their feelings of loneliness and low spirits. Residents spoke about friends and family, but also about neighbours and community - those who have helped them in times of need. The figures represent the importance of human connection, and help remind residents that it is important to speak to someone when they have these feelings. Photograph: Care UK




This collage was created following a group activity during lockdown at St Matthews care home in Redbourn, Hertfordshire. Each resident created a decoration using different media and the decorations were used to brighten up a corridor in the home. Photograph: B&M Care Homes





This is the first painting Joyce, who is now in her 90s, had done since school. It was painted during a socially distanced art session in the garden at Richmond Villages retirement home in Northampton. Photograph: Creative Minds



Resident Jean painted this scene during a socially distanced art session in the garden at Pear Tree Court in Hampshire. Photograph: Creative Minds





Sue started painting, using her mouth, while at Chaseley Trust in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and it is almost the only physical activity she can take part in. Staff try to enable her to paint as much as possible. Sue has gradually grown in confidence, and is happy to try out new techniques. The Fox is one of the paintings she has produced during lockdown. Photograph: Chaseley Trust





Residents at the Notting Hill Genesis home in London have been painting animals and inspiring messages on pebbles during lockdown with the aim of making others smile. Photograph: Care UK





Christine painted these poppies during a socially distanced art session in the garden at Richmond Villages retirement home in Northampton. Photograph: Creative Minds






                                                                                               

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