Ben Neale - Head of Creativity and Connection
A highly experienced Creative Learning Expert Ben Neale has 10 years experience of interactive programme design and delivery in Care, Arts, Education and Business environments. Specialising in wellbeing, creativity, innovative approaches to social engagement. This article was previously published on Ladder to the Moon on 8 June 2016.
At Graham Care’s Hailsham House, recently, two different boxes have inspired changes to the surroundings which have transformed well-being and stand to continue doing so.
The Bird-box Bonanza! box included sensory experiences, which social coordinators added to and took to residents at risk of isolation. Plain walls in bedrooms have been decorated with stars and birds, providing stimulation for bed-bound residents when they open their eyes. There are plans in place to change alter and update the decorations regularly.
Residents enjoyed writing on blackboards which were provided with the Storytelling Café box. Noticing this, Social Coordinator Stacey bought 5 blackboards, which have been put up around the walls at wheelchair level. Stacey began by writing different things – quotes, observations, names – and drawing people’s attention to them as they passed in the corridor. This has been particularly effective with a resident who often walks the corridors, enabling a connection when they pass. Staff and residents have now been contributing to these new blackboards.
The creativity, connection and contribution provided by these offers have the potential to provide enduring positive impact for staff and residents at Hailsham House.