Walking Through Walls
Walking through Walls is Entelechy Arts’ programme of long-term collaborations with nursing homes for residents, family, volunteers and staff.
“Everybody felt important. Loved it when the dancer looked into my eyes and said deep breath in and deep breath out. Are you coming again?”
Building on over twelve years’ experience working with care homes and nursing homes in east and south east London, Walking through Walls is a series of projects that nurtures and showcases the creativity of older people living in care homes.
Over time, the creative work between the nursing home community and our artists develops to include the different places and spaces where residents like to be. Sessions and performances might take place in communal areas, corridors, gardens and bedrooms. Highly skilled artists use a range of creative skills to improvise and respond to the interests and creativity of the residents.
“So many people have gone, I don’t know what to do and don’t feel like doing anything. I’ve lost my mother, and now my sister. But life is open to surprises. Surprises like this.
I love what you did, please come back again.”
Drawing by artist Cai Tomos
Previous Projects
Care meets Creativity
We also have links with Sway Place care home in Hampshire. Artist, and one of our frequent collaborators, Dr Chloe Bradwell, conducted a roundtable at Sway Place to explore the realities of care work, creativity and what’s needed to make meaningful collaboration possible. This animation translates the insights from this powerful discussion:
Notions of Home
Our ‘Notions of Home’ project created in partnership with Care Home residents explored ideas of the home, hearth and navigation within older age and care home settings. You can read it here.
Want to join in?
If you would like to commission Walking through Walls for your nursing or care home, or if you’re interested in volunteering, please email info@entelechyarts.org.