What is Arts at home?

“The sessions bring people together to share ideas, promote discussion and learning. Residents continue to discuss the artworks long after the session has ended and look forward to the talks and social aspect.” - Care Home Manager

Arts at Home supports older people to access arts and culture by encouraging conversation and connection through art. We work with a dedicated team of trained volunteers, who deliver our “Arts at Home” sessions in residential care homes, across London.

Engaging with arts activities increases confidence and improves self-esteem, and for older adults living with dementia, participatory art can help improve cognitive functioning, communication, pleasure, enjoyment of life, memory and creative thinking - (Baring Foundation, 2011).

During the sessions, volunteers will introduce residents to a variety of artworks, along side open-ended questions and thought-provoking prompts intended to spark conversation and connection amongst the residential care community.

“The residents have benefitted from looking and thinking more closely at artwork. (…) The project has helped to give space for the residents to openly discuss how images make them feel and their own memories.” - Care Assistant

Interested in volunteering with us?

In these sessions, you will introduce works of art of your choice. No prior professional experience is needed; we will provide you with the necessary training and toolkit to deliver this programme.

Arts at Home is delivered in care homes across the London area. You will need to be able to travel to these locations (travel expenses paid).

By joining the Arts at Home programme, you will:

• Receive a training programme and toolkit curated by an arts education specialist;
• Make a difference to the lives of older people and residents in care homes;
• Develop skills in public speaking and communicating with different audiences;
• Develop skills in education and community engagement projects;
• Broaden your knowledge of art history;
• Join a brilliant community of likeminded people!

If you are a confident communicator and passionate about the arts, we would love to hear from you!

Deadline: Ongoing. Volunteer inductions are held monthly.

Have any queries? Please e-mail volunteers@artexplora.org

Interested in partnering with us?

We currently work with seven care homes across London and are always looking to expand our programme, both across London and nationally.

If you'd like to bring art into your retirement home with Arts at Home, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact our volunteer programme manager, Poppy Keating: poppy.keating@artepxlora.org