Fourteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Loneliness and social isolation are known to have a negative impact on well-being and quality of life. Despite the proximity of others, older people living in care settings often experience loneliness and social isolation. The impact of arts and culture on well-being is widely acknowledged, however the specific impact on social relationships as a mechanism for building community has received little attention. This presentation uses selected findings from a study funded by Arts Council, England (2016-18) an innovative partnership between art practitioners, academics, an older people’s research group and a regional authority which explored the role of participatory arts in developing and maintaining social relationships between older people, older people and care staff and the wider community; in order to address issues of loneliness and social isolation. The research was mixed methods involving: case studies in three care homes where participatory arts were delivered by three arts organisations (reminiscence arts, seated dance, and orchestral music participation) plus a survey of all care homes in the region. Findings will focus on the ways in which participatory arts built on the strengths of older people to enable the enhancement and development of relationships as well artist’s perceptions of the unique qualities of the arts in this process.