A National Celebration of the Arts
On 24th September 2025, we will proudly take part in NAPA Arts Day, a nationwide event that shines a spotlight on the value of the arts in care settings across the UK. This year’s theme, Going Green, invites communities to celebrate creativity while connecting with the natural world, exploring how sustainable practices can spark joy, strengthen wellbeing, and bring people together.
For us at Swarthmore, this is more than just a day on the calendar—it is a chance to reflect on the many ways creativity has enriched our community over the past year. From baking and painting to upcycling and nature-inspired crafts, the arts have offered our residents not only enjoyment but also opportunities to connect, share stories, and express themselves in meaningful ways.
Creativity at Swarthmore: A Year in Colour
❤️ Valentine’s Day Creations
Love was in the air this February as residents rolled up their sleeves to bake and decorate delicious heart-shaped biscuits. Alongside this, they crafted colourful paper hearts from recycled materials. When displayed around the home, the paper hearts created a beautiful stained-glass effect—a reminder that creativity can transform even the simplest of items into something magical.
🐣 Easter Crafts
Spring at Swarthmore burst into bloom with vibrant seasonal activities. Residents decorated Easter trees and baskets, created paper hyacinths, crafted pom-poms from recycled wool, and even designed bright recycled paper hairpieces. The result was a display of colour around the home, creative time spent together and smiles all around.
🎨 The 4 O’Clock Art Club
One of our newest traditions, the weekly art club, has quickly become a highlight. Every week at 4pm, residents gather to sketch, paint, and experiment with different mediums. Some prefer the freedom of freehand drawing, while others take inspiration from the bay window view, capturing the ever-changing natural world just outside. These sessions provide not only a calming, creative outlet but also a shared sense of accomplishment.
💎 Jewellery Making & Upcycling
Jewellery-making workshops have proven both popular and rewarding. Residents enjoyed designing sparkling necklaces and bracelets that reflected their unique style and personality. More recently, we’ve introduced an eco-friendly twist—upcycling old or broken pieces into new creations. Many are already working on early Christmas gifts for friends and family, adding a personal, handcrafted touch to the festive season.
🐝 Caring for Nature
Our creative spirit has extended into the garden too. Residents worked together on a bee house project, carefully constructing safe spaces for pollinators using recycled wood. Alongside this, they made birdfeeders from wire and cereal—delighting our garden’s regular visitors. These projects not only support local wildlife but also bring a shared sense of purpose and teamwork.
🍂 Autumn Vibes
As the seasons changed, residents tried their hands at macramé, creating delicate mobiles to hang in the windows. The activity required patience and concentration, but the finished pieces added a cosy, handmade charm to our autumn décor.
Dressmaking
One of the most uplifting highlights of the year was a very special visit to the Teikyo Japanese School, where residents had the chance to explore an exhibition curated by the students. The display sparked lively conversations and evoked a real sense of curiosity. Many residents were particularly drawn to the textures, colours, and patterns on show, which in turn ignited an exciting new project back at the care home.
Taking inspiration from the exhibition, residents began experimenting with designing clothing from recycled materials – from fabric scraps and old bedding to donated garments. With the help of staff, they started dressing Maggie and Beryl, our much-loved mannequins, who are now proudly modelling the residents’ creations.
This imaginative project beautifully combines art, fashion, and sustainability, while also reconnecting residents with memories of sewing and dressmaking from earlier in their lives. Several residents fondly recalled making clothes for their children or themselves, and the activity has unlocked stories, skills, and a sense of achievement.
Afternoons have often been spent discussing fabrics, colours, and design choices, with everyone encouraged to share their opinions and “make their mark” on the mannequins. It’s been wonderful to see how engaged residents have been – even those who didn’t think of themselves as artistic have enjoyed choosing details or pinning pieces into place.
As the project continues, we are excited to watch these unique, sustainable designs evolve, reflecting not just creativity but also the spirit of collaboration and shared memories that make our Arts in Care Homes programme so special.
Why Arts in Care Homes Matter
Every creative project, no matter how big or small, carries a special meaning. For some residents, these activities provide a chance to learn new skills or revisit long-loved hobbies. For others, they offer comfort, relaxation, and an opportunity to connect with others through shared experiences. The benefits go beyond the making something beautiful—art fosters confidence, supports memory, and strengthens community spirit.
Looking Ahead
As we prepare to celebrate NAPA Arts Day 2025, we are reminded of the important role creativity plays in everyday life here at Swarthmore. From painting and jewellery making to upcycling, baking, and nature-inspired crafts, our residents continue to find new ways to express themselves, celebrate the seasons, and share joy with one another.
This year’s Going Green theme feels especially meaningful. It encourages us to think not only about what we create, but also how we create—embracing sustainability, caring for nature, and finding beauty in materials that might otherwise be overlooked.
Above all, NAPA Arts Week reminds us that creativity is for everyone. It enriches our lives, nurtures wellbeing, and brings us together as a community. We look forward to celebrating alongside care homes across the country and can’t wait to see the colourful, sustainable, and inspiring projects that will emerge.
