Highwater House is a residential service run by Norwich-based homelessness charity St Martins. It is for people who have a dual diagnosis, which means both mental illness and issues with problematic substance use. The 22 people who live at the home have experienced abusive and traumatic events in their lives and are unable to cope with independent living. The approach of St Martins’ team members is to build relationships with the people they support using whatever tools they can to interest and inspire them.
A flexible approach
One of these tools is art. Robert Lamacraft, who has worked at the home for many years as a chef, started an art group and invited residents to join in. He discovered that people didn’t always engage with structured, timetabled activities – perhaps from being institutionalised when in prison or hospital – it can be too much to ask of someone to commit to being in a certain place at a certain time.
Instead, Robert got the art materials out at the end of his shift, or sometimes in the evenings, and invited people to join in. Some observed from a distance, and gradually became more engaged in the creative process, picking up paintbrushes themselves and talking about what they would like to create.
Inspiring creativity
Studies have shown that expression through art can help people with depression, anxiety and stress, which was the premise for running the activities at Highwater House. The benefits of relaxation were apparent, and one person said, ‘When doing art, my mind closes to my problems and the art flows, like music. I find it a peaceful place when I can create.’
Robert said, ‘Over the time I have run the art group I have listened to the residents talk about their lives, their childhood memories, and the life they have had. They have suffered from terrible amounts of trauma and have addictions. They told me so many interesting stories about their lives. Some good memories that brought a smile to their faces or sad, traumatic events that they had to live through and survived.’
Some wonderful scenes have been made using all sorts of materials, including paints, printing techniques and slate. An exhibition was held in the home, judged by an independent panel from another service in St Martins.
Working as a team
Repeatedly, residents said they wanted their stories recorded, and to share what had happened to them but didn’t necessarily have the means to articulate it.
With Robert’s guidance, the Highwater House residents embarked on an ambitious piece on a large canvas called ‘Journey of Life’. It resembles stained glass and depicts a timeline of memories. The bottom right of the canvas is the darkest part of the piece, marking the start of their journey of homelessness, addiction and trauma.
Other sections depict happy times, such as holidays, the feeling of safety and favourite foods. The finished piece hangs on the wall at Highwater House and creates a feeling of shared community, and residents point out their individual contributions with pride.
The art project had such a positive impact, thanks to Robert’s dedication, that St Martins’ team members entered Robert into the Creative Arts Award category in the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards.
Maintaining standards
Winning the award was an honour for Robert, also giving a boost to the residents at Highwater House. A history of homelessness, poor mental health and addiction can strip a person of their sense of self, leaving them feeling unwanted and marginalised. Winning an award like this validates their place in their community and celebrates a positive contribution they have made to something outside of their usual experience.
Highwater House is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and been rated ‘Outstanding’ since March 2019. The team works hard to maintain the Outstanding rating. In partnership with Norfolk & Suffolk Care Support, St Martins arranges regular meetings for care providers in Norfolk who have achieved an Outstanding rating from CQC. The group supports each other to continually move forward, recognising the importance of not resting on what has already been achieved.
The power of art
The same approach is taken within all the activities at the home, including the art group. Robert is continually thinking up new ideas. The next project is a large canvas exclusively about what makes the residents happy. Another creation in the pipeline is mini canvases that will be painted on an individual basis and displayed all together in a family group. The group is making the most of the warm weather and decorating slates and stones outside in the garden area.
The day-to-day running of the home consistently considers the psychological needs of each resident including their thinking, emotions, personalities and past experiences. It is an approach to support people out of homelessness and social isolation – in particular those who have experienced complex trauma or are diagnosed with a personality disorder. Rather than being an ‘add-on’ or an extra activity, art is an important way for people to express themselves and truly feel they belong somewhere they can call home. CMM