The Water Mill in Walsall was a brand new specialist Dementia Residential Care home purpose built by Housing 21 (H21). Frames of Mind were commissioned to devise and deliver a participatory project in order for Housing 21 Research & Development to investigate the impact of stop frame animation on levels of communication between staff and residents settling into their new environment together.
Staff training was an intrinsic part of the project. Five key workers and two managers were given training to make their own short ‘life story animation’ the process was both bonding and empowering. Over the next 3 days we supported staff to work with their keyworkee residents to produce short films. Friends and family were invited to be involved and helped source props and objects for the animations.
The project was evaluated by Housing 21 Research and Development, using qualitative and observation and transcription methods to reveal :
“ Significant positive outcomes for all participants – residents, staff and family carers – in terms of communication , empowerment, wellbeing, cognitive abilities, relationships. And person centred care”
“Its very easy to see people in terms of the common problems they share e.g. old age and dementia. This project helps us to view people as individuals who still have interesting stories to tell. More importantly it makes them feel that they are still valued and worth listening to.” – Relative
“Such things refresh their minds and remind them of the happy times in their lives” – Member of STAff