In this project we’re using drama, film, storytelling and active learning to support staff to improve care for older people.

Connect in care is a network for staff working with older people wherever that care takes place (e.g. hospital, care home, in their home).  It is being funded for three years
by NHS Education Scotland, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland in partnership with the Care Commission.

As the project developer, I’m supporting various projects around Scotland that aim to improve care around several key themes: managing transitions, supporting good end of life,sharing decision-making, maintaining identity, creating community and creating a positive work culture.

These projects involve:
- finding practical solutions to real problems identified by those on the frontline
- the community of the care setting (including staff, older people and families)
- valuing experimentation and learning
- identifying things that work and spreading the news.

Among the theatre resources we’ve created so far are the following plays: “In a Fankle” (communicating the purpose of Connect in Care), Night and Day (communicating research findings about night time care in care homes) and I don’t know how to talk about it (designed to stimulate discussion around death and dying among care home staff, families and residents).

For more information please go to www.connect-in-care.net.