Music and the arts play an important and powerful part in all our lives. Whether it be through music, movement, storytelling, singing, drama, reading or writing poetry, Avon Reach offers each resident the opportunity to explore the many ways in which music and creative arts can enrich their wellbeing.
Music has a positive effect on our wellbeing, stimulating our emotions and increasing our motivation.
It’s a shared language that enables us to appreciate and enjoy music together, and because it’s non-verbal, it’s accessible to everyone.
Our home encourages residents to share their musical preferences to help us maintain their identity and connection to their life events. We aim to create different, personal and meaningful musical experiences for each resident.
Our group music sessions are a wonderful way for residents to feel engaged and be involved in a variety of ways. Making music and singing together promotes feelings of inclusion and belonging, increasing socialisation and self- confidence.
Sessions are accessible to everyone and residents are invited to take part and respond in their own way, from passive listening or subtle tapping of fingers or feet, to active participation with bold risk taking by playing a large drum or spontaneous dancing.
Using different instruments and props we can create music and movements that reflect the rhythm, texture, timbre and style of the music.
Residents can also enjoy a live music performance as a group or on a one-to-one basis as many of our Companionship Teams members are skilled and confident musicians.
“The whole room was involved in Fiona’s class and everyone was obviously enjoying themselves. Everyone could join in!” – Ruth, visitor to care home
Our home is lucky to have access to Colten Care’s dedicated Music & Arts Partner, Fiona Pritchard, who inspires and leads the development of music and creative arts activities and interventions in all our homes, ensuring this is central to the social wellbeing of everyone in our care.
Fiona is a professional musician who trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a wealth of experience as both teacher and performer and is an accomplished composer and songwriter.
Fiona also gained an MSc in Dementia Studies with Arts and Activities from Bradford University and uses this increased understanding of dementia to influence and guide her work in our 21 homes.
Her training and experience means she can offer focussed one to one sessions with an informed person-centred approach, providing additional support for residents, their families and our teams.
She showcases creativity in our homes at conferences and in journal publications and creates links with local communities, working in partnership with our home teams to engage with arts organisations nationwide.
A key part of her role is stimulating residents’ creativity and imagination through singing, playing music, drama, poetry, storytelling, dance and listening. She is also active in coordinating regular opportunities for residents, relatives and people in the community to engage in activities together.
In addition to the support and engagement provided by Fiona, we regularly invite performers into the home to delight our residents.
Our home’s Companionship Team is well connected with popular local performers, including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. They regularly organise scheduled visits by musicians and entertainers who are used to performing for people living in a care home setting.
We maintain a central database of professionals that helps us ensure each team has access to the most enjoyable and popular performers. We listen to the feedback from residents to make sure their favourite artists return regularly!
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso
Nutritious Mealtimes
Food and drink are critical to our well-being in so many ways. Our chef will provide a diet that is not only full of choice, but is also wholesome, nutritious, well-balanced and right for our residents.
Hobbies & Interests
We understand that staying physically and mentally active can have a profound effect on our wellbeing. Our home has a dedicated Companionship Team whose role within the home is to plan, organise and deliver an exciting and engaging programme of activities specifically tailored to the wishes of residents be that in large groups, small groups or simply one on one time.
Minibus Trips
Our home has regular access to one of our four modern and well-equipped minibuses. The professional drivers liaise with the Companionship Team and residents to understand their preferences and provide access through half-day or full-day trips, getting out and about to enjoy the local sights, often taking packed-lunches, snacks, hot coffee and tea.
Your Garden
Many of our residents have enjoyed a love of gardens and gardening throughout their lives. To ensure this passion continues, we strive to make our outdoor living spaces accessible, interactive and stimulating and encourage residents to take a keen interest in the gardens.
Housekeeping & Maintenance
We take care of the daily housekeeping and maintenance responsibilities so our residents don’t have to. Feeling warm and safe in our homes and having peace of mind are just two of the benefits our residents enjoy from the personally tailored care we provide.