Luminate:
Art Adventures in Nature
Art Adventures in Nature is a partnership between Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, and Erskine Care Homes.
It is part of a wider, national programme, Unforgotten Forces, in which 15 different charities have pulled together to provide a network of support for older veterans in the community.
Led by artists Gill White and James Winnett (pictured), the project offers veterans in Erskine’s four care homes bespoke, personalised creative activities inspired by the natural environment.
Image: courtesy of Luminate
Activities began in 2017, many taking place outdoors, and have included filmmaking, sound recording, storytelling, creative writing, poetry reading, model-making, sculpture, stone carving, painting and drawing. Residents’ shared interest in the natural world emerged early on and gave the project its name.
The striking impact on participants’ physical and mental wellbeing has demonstrated the value of making arts, culture and creativity a meaningful day-to-day focus in care services for older people.
Speaking at an event in June 2021, Dr Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive of Scottish Care, said the contribution that artists can make in care homes, and to the wellbeing of older people generally, should not be thought of as incidental, nor an added extra, but of “central and critical importance” as Scotland moves forward.
Due to the impact of the pandemic, the project was paused three months before completion in March 2020.
As the artists involved in Art Adventures in Nature begin to reconnect with Erskine care homes, they will incorporate new health and safety measures into their practice.
There is no doubt that the impact of Covid-19 has made leading and participating in arts and creative activities in care homes challenging.
But the joy, the social connection and self-expression, the physical benefits, and improvements in self-esteem and confidence that come from participation have never been more needed.
Image: courtesy of Luminate
Image: courtesy of Luminate
“This is one of the most inspiring arts projects with people living with dementia that I have ever experienced.”
- Professor Brendan McCormack, Head of the Divisions of Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies, Queen Margaret University
Image: courtesy of Luminate
A few weeks in to the project, care staff at Erskine Park Home, Bishopton, reported a rare depth of engagement amongst those veterans who were living with advanced dementia.
Image: Courtesy of Luminate
The opportunity to work one-to-one with Gill or James was particularly valuable for some older people who were reluctant to take part in group sessions.
Across the whole residency programme, care staff and the artists observed participants’ physical strength and dexterity increasing as they became more adept at using the various art-making equipment, honing existing skills and developing new ones.
Staff reflected on how participants’ confidence grew as they took part in the activities and the celebrations at the end.
“It’s about doing things that you would normally do – painting; gardening – keeping these things going. Just because you are in a nursing home, doesn’t mean these things stop.
You just have to find different ways of doing them and Gill and James bring that to us”
Staff member
Watch: Art Adventures in Nature at Erskine Bishopton
“The greatest strength of this project is that everything has been personalised. Gill and James have been able to get to know the Erskine community well, and to find out what different people enjoy and are interested in. This has enabled them to design creative activities that really engage each person they work with.
At Luminate, we’ve been inspired by this in-depth approach and by the high quality of the art that has been created by participants as a result.”
Anne Gallacher, Director, Luminate
“I am inspired and in awe of the wonderful artwork along our cycle path, created by residents at Erskine Park Home along with our artists in residence.”
Derek Barron, Director of Care, Erskine