Sparkle Awards

It has given me such pleasure to help to set up the Sparkle Awards for creative work with elderly people, especially those with dementia.  Candidates are nominated by their peers or managers and may be carers, volunteers or therapists.  Creative Care has made awards in Romania, Czech Republic and UK during 2012.

Sharon Jacksties was the last award made at the end of 2012 for her outstanding work with older people, especially through storytelling.  Sharon has been working with older people for many years, and is also a trainer on the Creative Care training courses in Somerset.  She has just published a very special book 'Somerset Folk Tales (History Press), illustrated by Jem Dick.

But in the wider sphere, are we really looking forward to greater care being given to older people?  To more compassion in care homes?  To a better status and terms of employment for carers?  To an acknowledgement of the crucial role that all the arts have to play in care for older people, especially those with dementia?

Basically how much more 'evidence based practice' do funders want before the arts in health care are affirmed and acknowledged?

Or are we looking at more dispirited workers, more neglected residents, more scandals of cruelty?

Lets keep up the campaign and our energy!