The Innovation School are collaborating with Anderson’s to innovate perceptions of ‘care home’ by exploring community connections and social wellbeing, and identifying ways in which human rights can be practically applied for people affected by dementia. The project is funded through the ‘Rights Made Real in Care Homes’, Life Changes Trust programme and aims to involve the wider community to diversify Anderson’s and develop a roadmap that demonstrates opportunities for integration with the community as a way to support public understanding of care homes and promote positive attitudes.

The legacy of Anderson’s (see Figure 1) has community at the heart tracing back to the origins of the care home as a gift to the community for the ‘education of young and care of old age’. This project aims to develop this legacy and support the rights of residents by actively involving them in shifting perceptions of ‘care home’ to a community-based organisation that extends beyond traditional boundaries and overcomes existing perceptions and stereotypes. By extending reach to the wider community, the project can also support positive public attitudes and understanding about dementia.

The project aims to understand perceptions and develop a ‘redefinition’ of ‘care home’ through co-design with residents, staff, families, volunteers and wider members of the community. The development of person-centred interventions will explore the role of music and other media to support people affected by dementia to tell their story, support their personhood and identity, identify needs and aspirations, and explore opportunities to widen social interaction that extends to the wider community.