Trauma to Recovery: The Role of Participatory Arts in Care Homes

Years after the pandemic, care home staff and managers continue to process the emotional toll on residents, colleagues, and families. Written in partnership with Magic Me, this academic research paper investigates how participatory arts – featuring our Artist Residencies in Care Homes project – helped facilitate post-Covid trauma recovery in care settings.

The report offers practical insights for care home staff, visiting facilitators, and creative partners on embedding trauma-informed practices into daily care routines.

Key insights & takeaways

• Practical approaches to creating safe, inclusive environments for emotional expression.
• Guidance on training and supporting artists delivering projects in care settings.
• Strategies for building collaborative, trusting relationships between artists, staff, and residents.
• Demonstrating how creative engagement aids psychological recovery and brings joy back into the care environment.

The report can be found here.