Music, song and arts activities from students from Shrewsbury School have been prescribed for their health benefits at our care home in Bicton.
The visit to Morris Care’s Isle Court home was organised by Creative Inspiration Shropshire, a community interest company set up by Dr Jane Povey to deliver arts for health in the community. It uses its links with professional musicians and schools to provide high quality music and other creative arts programmes to grow and maintain wellbeing.
A group of music and arts students from Shrewsbury School performed music and song and helped with craft activities to entertain and engage residents at Isle Court.
Sue Austin, Chief Operating Officer at Morris Care, said: “We appreciate the time given by these talented young people and the support of Creative Inspiration Shropshire. Our residents and staff certainly enjoyed it.
“We know such visits makes a difference and music in particular can help unlock memories and spark conversations. We encourage a range of activities in our homes as part of our approach to holistic care and support.”
Creative Inspiration Shropshire works with national charity Live Music Now which trains students and gives them the confidence to perform for and interact with audiences in the community. Creative Inspiration Shropshire also runs a scheme to train care home staff on how they can use music to help residents.
Dr Povey said: “There is a significant evidence base around the benefits of arts for health, for example for people with dementia, long term conditions or disabilities and mental health problems. Creativity enables us to tap into the individual, their memories and their abilities with the impact of improving their mood, self- esteem, confidence and engagement with the world and thereby reducing isolation and growing wellbeing and resilience.”
Morris Care provides a range of services, including specialist dementia care at Isle Court. The family-run company’s six care homes in Shropshire and Cheshire host a variety of engaging activities in line with its philosophy of creating happy and positive environments for residents and staff.
