On Tuesday 9th December, Preston House Care Home in Glenrothes hosted a moving photography and storytelling exhibition entitled “Living and Dying in a Care Home – The Stories We Can Tell.”

Delivered in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and Marie Curie’s Care Home Programme, the project offers a rare and intimate exploration of daily life in a care home as seen through the eyes of residents, family members, and staff. Through photographs and personal reflections, contributors captured meaningful moments of connection, joy, challenge, and care, inviting visitors to engage with the lived experiences that shape the Preston House community.

The exhibition aims to support open and honest conversations about what it truly means to live and to die in a care home setting, and highlights the profound relationships, memories, and moments that define residents’ everyday lives.

Tracy Sayle, Preston House Service Manager says,
“We are incredibly proud to be part of this thoughtful and sensitive project. Our residents, families, and staff have embraced the opportunity to share their stories, and the results are both powerful and deeply moving. This exhibition shines a light on the realities of care; the laughter, the companionship, the hard days, and the love that surrounds our residents in every stage of their journey with us. It is a privilege to support a project that encourages understanding, compassion, and meaningful conversations about living and dying well.”

Preston House resident, Martha Rae, has played a big part in the project. She was asked about her experience of daily life in the home and was given a camera to document anything which resonated with her. Reflecting on the project she says,

“I hated the idea of going into a care home before I came. If only I had known what it could really be like. The carers here are all wonderful, we feel safe with them and I took a photo of Leanne [Senior Carer], to show that. It’s lovely to see my photos in the exhibition.”

Talking about the importance of this project Dr Julie Watson RN, Clinical Lead for Marie Curie Care Home Programme, Scotland said,
“The care home sector are significant providers of care around dying. It is a privilege to partner with staff, residents and families in Preston House Care Home to test an approach to visualising and provoking conversations with key stakeholders about the importance of living and dying in care homes.”

For further information on the care and support available at Preston House Care Home please call them directly on 01592 612418, email: preston.admin@holmes-care.co.uk or visit: preston-house-glenrothes