During the length of the project, from 2019 to summer 2023, the Bluecoat sought to provide residents from Belong Villages in Crewe and Chester with a series of workshops, interventions, events and experiences created by 6 artists during a series of residency programmes.
Belong residents enjoyed sculpture, storytelling, dance, music, arts & crafts, digital and sound arts in a series of workshops and sessions led by each of the artists. Each artist was selected by the Bluecoat for their practice and its relationship with ageing, storytelling, movement and sensory experience.
Artists Involved
“I’ve been pondering what we, 'the artists', bring to Belong; the ways in which we interact and engage - using our skills as listener, responder, activator - creating a wider and more focussed space to allow expression to emerge and expand"
Research
Research shows us engagement with the arts is beneficial for people in later life, including those living with dementia.
Benefits include: Improved quality of life, Increased confidence and self-esteem, Enhanced cognitive capacity, Sense of community and social inclusion, Physical health improvements, such as increased joint mobility.
We Belong Together and Belong at Home - How the project adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic
The project’s adaptability was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated a rapid shift from in-person to online sessions. Despite these challenges, Where the Arts Belong continued online via We Belong Together and Where the Arts Belong at Home.
We Belong Together saw the artists providing art workshops online for Belong residents, and for Where the Arts Belong at Home, the artists provided online training to community support workers so they could continue providing these creative experiences to residents in their own homes.
Both of these online programmes maintained high levels of engagement, demonstrating the resilience and flexibility of the project team. The project also highlighted areas for growth and improvement such as implementing emotional support structures for artists and staff working within the project. Addressing these challenges through compensating staff for additional training hours and recognising the emotional demands of the work were crucial steps in maintaining the project's momentum.
Deputy Chief Executive at Belong said during Where the Arts Belong at Home:
"Isolation has been a huge challenge for everyone over the past year and we’re excited to be extending our collaboration with Bluecoat to be able to connect tenants of our independent living apartments through the arts."
"We’ve already seen significant wellbeing benefits following projects working with household residents in our 24-hour care settings, as well as home care customers in the wider community, so this is a very welcome extension to the arts initiatives we are able to offer.”
Little Golden Moments in the Midst of a Global Crisis
This publication about the project documented what the team had achieved and how the project adapted during the pandemic. Find out more about the artists and their work as part of the project too and hear from some of the people involved.
Public Engagement
The Bluecoat and other partners hosted a vibrant programme of exhibitions and events, giving public audiences a chance to learn more about the project, and see some of the artwork created by the Belong residents and the artists.
Where The Arts Belong: Making Sense (Of It All)
This exhibition offered a glimpse into the project, featuring artwork created by the artists involved and Belong residents. It also featured a timeline of the project.
Seen and Heard - Adventures in Art and Dementia
Exhibition at the Grosvenor Museum in Chester, 2023.
Seen and Heard – Adventures in Art and Dementia brought together six artists who worked creatively in the Belong care village in Chester. Spending time with residents, families, Belong colleagues and children from the on-site Nursery in Belong, they invited people to take part in a range of arts activities. This exhibition, which journeys throughout the ground floor of Grosvenor Museum in Chester, includes artworks made by the artists and people from the village community.
A key element of the project’s success was the strong collaboration with the Grosvenor Museum, which played a pivotal role in extending the project's reach and impact. The museum provided a unique platform for engagement, offering dementia patients and their carers access to inspiring artistic experiences in a culturally rich environment. This partnership was not just about the venue; it fostered a deeper connection between the participants and the broader community, creating opportunities for meaningful interaction with cultural heritage.
Project Timeline
Outcomes
Where the Arts Belong has proven to be a transformative initiative for both people living with dementia and their carers. By integrating the arts into dementia care, the project significantly enhanced the quality of life for participants, surpassing its original goals.
Notably, over 80% of the dementia patients involved reported an improvement in their overall well-being, a figure that exceeded the project’s target of 75%. This positive impact extended to the carers and Belong staff members, who experienced increased job satisfaction and personal well-being due to their involvement in the creative sessions.
Artists who facilitated the sessions also experienced significant professional and personal growth, with many reporting that their work with dementia patients deeply influenced their practices. This reciprocal impact underscores the powerful role that creative engagement can play in both care settings and artistic development.
This online resource showcases what this ground-breaking project achieved and its legacy as a model for arts-based care.
