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Scottish Care, in partnership with the Care Inspectorate and Luminate was involved in the development of brand new resource to support older people in care homes across the country to enjoy and participate in the creative arts.
The project was developed by partners including the Care Inspectorate, Creative Scotland and Luminate - Scotland's Creative Ageing Festival.
Scottish Care contributed towards the development of the project as part of a national working group including the Scottish Poetry Library, NHS – Perth and Kinross and professional artists from around the country.
Launched on the 26th July the pack ensures the provision of new resources including educational tools, a DVD and guidance for every care home in Scotland to support and encourage their residents involvement in the arts.
The resource aims to "motivate and enable care staff to support those they care for to participate in the creative arts, either in a care home, or in their local community."
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Karen Reid, the Care Inspectorate’s Chief Executive said: “The arts can be really important in maintaining and improving people’s health and wellbeing. Being creative can have a very positive impact on ageing and living well. 
""We hope the new resource will help older people reignite a passion or experience something creative that they have always wanted to do. Older people should be able to access high quality arts and creative activities whatever their abilities, circumstances and wherever they live, if that is what they wish." Anne Gallacher, Director of Luminate, said: "I am delighted that Luminate has worked with the Care Inspectorate on this new pack, which will help care home staff to provide arts opportunities for older people across Scotland.

 It showcases some exciting examples of creative activities in Scottish care homes, and highlights the huge benefits of these activities to participants. Creativity has no age, and this resource will help enable our oldest citizens to remain involved in the arts, to rediscover skills they may not have used for some time, or to try their hand at something new."  Becca Gatherum, Policy and Research Manager for Scottish Care, said : "Scottish Care is delighted to have been involved in the development of this valuable resource for care homes. We know many care homes are already undertaking fantastic work in ensuring residents have access to high quality creative opportunities, but that with competing pressures it can sometimes be difficult for care staff to know how to put the arts at the heart of what they do. This resource not only looks great but will support both experienced staff and those with less involvement in the arts to undertake a wide range of creative projects with residents and professional artists. We highly commend this resource to all care homes and care staff, and hope they will make good use of it and share their feedback." |
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 The opportunity for care staff to learn about and share good practice and good news stories is seen as vitally important. This pack will enable them to share ideas about what works with other homes.

The resource is available here: |
| www.careinspectorate.com |
