Runwood Homes Group proudly celebrated the National Day of Arts in Care Homes with a series of creative initiatives that took residents’ artwork into local communities. The group showcased exhibitions at Colchester Library, Harlow Library, and Cookstown Library in Northern Ireland. In Doncaster, residents collaborated with local artists to create stunning tile artwork, which will soon be displayed at Doncaster Museum. These exhibitions were the culmination of over a year of preparation, aligned with Runwood’s September dignity theme, “No Art Without Heart.”
To crown this remarkable initiative, Runwood Homes Group was named the winner of the 14th National Dementia Care Awards. The group expressed immense pride in their homes and the contributions of Lifestyle Coordinators, Kieun Kwon, Associate Director of Wellbeing and Dementia Services and Sarah, Regional Dementia Wellbeing Support, who played key roles in this success. Congratulations were extended to all involved in this outstanding achievement.
A major highlight of the initiative was a collaborative art project involving residents from 27 care homes, local school children, and community members. Together, they created a vibrant piece exploring the theme of “Home,” in line with NAPA’s annual focus. The artwork beautifully captured the personal stories and sense of belonging experienced by the residents.
Runwood Homes recognised the arts as essential for enhancing residents’ wellbeing, offering them an outlet for self-expression and emotional connection. For example, 104-year-old Ada revisited her childhood home in Epping and took a photograph that inspired her fellow resident Pamela to paint her portrait. This artwork, which became part of the exhibition, illustrated the profound emotional bonds art can foster.
Inclusivity remained central to Runwood Homes’ approach, ensuring that all residents, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities, had the opportunity to participate. Tools were adapted, and various art forms—such as pottery, photography, and poetry—were explored to unlock each resident’s creative potential. A particularly moving moment occurred when a former woodcarver, now losing his eyesight, learnt that the exhibition had been extended due to its overwhelming popularity. This news deeply touched him, showcasing the positive impact of the project.
“We are grateful for winning the Outstanding Approach to Supporting People Living with Dementia using Creativity and the Arts at the NDCA 2024,” shared Kieun. “This award has touched everyone’s potential and brought out people’s playfulness. When the public realised that all the artwork was created by people living in a care home, there were some breakthrough moments, almost like a transformation from negativity to positivity. We plan to hold another exhibition in the library galleries next year, as the libraries have invited us to do so this time. Seeing the positive impact that the first exhibitions had, such as breaking down the stigma surrounding care homes and celebrating life through the artistic journey, has encouraged us to continue this work. This project enabled us to see people’s life stories and styles.”
Although there were challenges in delivering arts activities in care homes, Runwood Homes successfully adapted them to meet the needs of individual residents, with a focus on the creative process. Collaborative projects like recipe scrapbooks and pottery sessions strengthened bonds between residents, families, and staff, creating a vibrant community.
Runwood Homes encouraged other care organisations to start small when enhancing their arts programs, collaborate with local artists and schools, and celebrate each creative milestone. The group remained committed to the belief that “No Art Without Heart” guided their approach and made a lasting impact. As Pablo Picasso stated, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
