ALLIANCE Carer Voices project chosen to host an Artist-in-Residence

The ALLIANCE Carer Voices project has been chosen as one of six partner organisations to host an Artist-in-Residence this year.

The Carer Voices project at the ALLIANCE is delighted to announce that they are hosting an Artist-in-Residence in partnership with the Scottish Graduate School of Arts & Humanities (SGSAH) for the next six months.

SGSAH organises internships and artist residencies for PhD researchers to spend up to three months full time at a partner host organisation, enabling students to enhance their research skills in a wide variety of contexts. These exciting opportunities give PhD researchers the chance to make a difference to an organisation, whilst developing their own skills and networks. The programme is open to arts and humanities PhD students in Scotland, regardless of funding source.

The ALLIANCE was chosen as one of the six Scotland-based partner organisations this year. It is intended that this project will benefit the ALLIANCE and the Carer Voices project by helping to raise awareness of carers’ experiences by responding to the largest archive of carers’ perspectives in the UK – the ‘You Can Make a Difference’ campaign.

The Artist-in-Residence will have the opportunity to engage with and prioritise the views and experiences of carers. The work they produce will raise awareness of the issues around caring for someone with dementia, including among health and social care professionals, students and the wider public. It will also highlight the role of carers as experts, who should be recognised for the value that they bring to the life of their loved ones and to society as a whole.

The artist will receive support from the project team, ALLIANCE networks and have the opportunity to engage in conversation with the local community by visiting care homes, hospitals and local carer groups. It is intended that this will help develop their understanding of the diversity of the carer voice and assist in shaping their final piece of work.

Project Lead, Tommy Whitelaw commented:

“The ALLIANCE Carer Voices project is honoured to be one of the six organisations chosen to host an artist and we look forward to working with Xuechang to both enable his own development and bring to life the archive we have created over the years.”

The Carer Voices project would like to give Artist-in-Residence Xuechang Leng a warm welcome to the ALLIANCE.

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