The positive impact of the arts on health and wellbeing is being highlighted with the launch, this week, of a new awareness campaign.
The Arts in Health: Improving Lives initiative is being run by the National Alliance for Arts, Health and Wellbeing and will showcase arts in health projects throughout England.
This campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact of arts in health projects and to show that they are all connected and part of a movement that is growing all the time in communities and countries across the world
Alex Coulter, chairman of the national alliance, said: “Engaging in the arts and creativity has a demonstrable impact on individuals’ wellbeing and health outcomes. Our case studies include examples of arts in health projects reducing reliance on GP consultation for those with depression, reducing the isolation of people with dementia who live in rural areas, and coping with the trauma of illness and recovery following a stroke.
“This campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact of arts in health projects and to show that they are all connected and part of a movement that is growing all the time in communities and countries across the world.”
As part of the campaign, the alliance will operate an online hub through which information can be disseminated and stories shared by healthcare organisations, practitioners and patients, highlighting the role creativity can play in health and wellbeing. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the role of the arts in both the prevention and treatment of illness and in health promotion.
Coulter said: “Participation in the arts can bring people with similar needs together and gives those who are feeling isolated and lonely focus in their lives, a sense of belonging and the opportunity to be creative with others. Arts activities bring a number of physical and psychological health benefits to people with diverse needs and have proven to be an effective way to overcome physical and emotional difficulties. Creative expression is enormously successful in helping those diagnosed with depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.”
Arts activities bring a number of physical and psychological health benefits to people with diverse needs and have proven to be an effective way to overcome physical and emotional difficulties
Case studies already being publicised as part of the campaign include History In The Making a collaborative project devised by mosaic artist, Tessa Hunkin, to help people recovering from mental health problems and drug and alcohol addiction by working with the local community to create large mosaics in parks in Hackney, north east London.
The work carried out within these open spaces helps participants to develop social skills, reduces isolation, and the work itself is calming and therapeutic for those involved, reducing stress levels and anxiety. The mosaics also significantly improve the local environment, encouraging local people to visit the park more often, and giving residents pride in their surroundings.
Since the project began, feedback from the 50 participants has been positive, with many of those involved finding it a helpful focus in their week and a good way to relax and socialise outside of the drug and alcohol service. In addition, participants who had become very isolated and withdrawn are now more friendly and outgoing,and have developed increased levels of confidence as a result.
There are now plans to further improve the park by creating a mosaic pavement, which it is hoped will lead to further work improving other parks in the area. The project is now awaiting a Lottery grant, which could see the work continued until 2014.
It helped me forget about being in hospital. It is unquestionably one of the most rewarding experiences of my short life
There is also details of a project entitled Room With A View , which was set up at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool in 2011, creating a patient-centred creative learning programme exploring animation.
The programme, run in conjunction with multi media charity, Twin Vision, aims to enhance the patient experience through participation, introducing participants to a wide range of skills as well as offering creative learning opportunities.
Ultimately, the project will produce a range of animations, created by the patients, as well as a documentary film for each sub project, recording the processes undertaken, the thoughts and reflections of patients, families, staff and artists. It will then be assessed in order to better understand the impact of the arts within healthcare.
A hospital spokesman said: “The project itself has already impacted profoundly on the patients’ experience of coming to hospital and for a number of them has been a life-changing experience.”
Dylan, a 17-year-old patient, added: “It’s given me something to focus on other then my treatment. I’m also a bit more confident in myself and can do things really well I didn’t think I’d be able to do.”
Another patient, Phillip, said: “This took my mind off the pain, both physically and mentally. It helped me forget about being in hospital. It is unquestionably one of the most rewarding experiences of my short life.”
For more information on the campaign, click here.