A vibrant mosaic mural and pop-up exhibition celebrating the power of community connections has arrived in Worcester as care home residents showcase their artistic talent.

Designed in collaboration with Worcestershire-based mosaic artist, Victoria Harrison; the mural brings together more than 100 artworks created by Sanctuary Care residents across the UK.

The artwork depicts a beautiful garden in bloom – a staple feature in many care homes – serving as a metaphor for the growth, a sense of belonging, and enrichment to be found in community connections.

The Connections exhibition in Friary Walk Shopping Centre was created by not-for-profit care provider, Sanctuary Care, which provides residential, dementia, nursing, and respite care in over 100 care homes in England and​​ Scotland.  

The immersive space is designed to spark conversations and bring people together, demonstrating the power of community connections to enrich lives in profound and lasting ways.

Visitors can lift a telephone to hear heartfelt messages from care home residents sharing their thoughts on community and what a sense of belonging means to them; while a ‘Connections Bench’ offers a welcoming space for passers-by to connect and admire the artwork on display.

The project follows new research which found that almost half of UK adults (46%) said feeling connected to their community gives them a sense of belonging, whilst 34% agreed it makes them feel safe and secure.

A further 48% of respondents aged 65 and over agreed feeling connected to others within their community makes them feel more ‘at home’, compared to 38% of Gen-Zs, underlining the value placed on close-knit communities as individuals age.

Sanctuary Care’s chief operating officer for commercial, Sarah Clarke-Kuehn, said: “This research highlights the deep impact of social connections on our wellbeing, especially as we age.

“A sense of belonging is something we all seek, and community ties can provide that feeling of security and togetherness throughout life.

“At Sanctuary Care, supporting our residents to live enriched lives is at the very core of what we do.

“Seeing our residents come together to create this striking mural has been truly inspiring.

“Many residents contributed an individual artwork, forming a rich tapestry of stories which we hope will serve as lasting reminder of the strength, support, and belonging that community connections bring.”

Professor Andrea Wigfield, director at the Centre for Loneliness Studies and the Campaign to end Loneliness at Sheffield Hallam University, partnered with Sanctuary Care to highlight how community belonging supports emotional and physical wellbeing.

She said: “Meaningful social connections are fundamental to us as human beings. They improve our sense of wellbeing, contribute to our quality of life, and have the potential to have important benefits for our physical health.

“Meaningful social relationships can act as a buffer to loneliness, helping us to become more resilient, especially at points of transition in our lives.

“The research reinforces a growing body of evidence that strong connections with our local community and the places and spaces where we live and interact, can bring a sense of belonging, which can help sustain us through the challenges and joys of ageing.”

To find out more about Sanctuary Care’s Connections campaign, click here.