cARTrefu, which means to reside in Welsh, is Age Cymru’s flagship arts in care homes project that has been running since 2015. The aim of the project is to improve access to quality arts experiences for older people in residential care, and develop artist’s and care home workers’ skills in running these sessions.

cARTrefu has now grown to become the largest project of its kind in Europe, and has been proven to have a statistically significant improvement in residents wellbeing after attending cARTrefu sessions, with a wider impact such as socialising more and regaining skills such as using a knife and fork. cARTrefu has also had an impact on the care staff involved in the sessions, showing a significant improvement in attitudes towards residents, especially those living with dementia, and an increase in confidence to lead a creative arts session in the home.

This resource was uploaded as part of our conference, ‘Home Comforts’, which is aimed at sharing best practice in adult social care.