Advice, information and publications for arts and health practitioners
Artspulse Evaluation Toolkit
A user-friendly guide to evaluating arts and well-being projects.
NEW Arts Toolkit for Activity Co-ordinators and Care Staff
- added 18.10.11
Produced in consultation with the North East Derbyshire Older People’s Arts Forum, this toolkit is a user-friendly 'how to' guide for staff and Activity Co-ordinators in care settings wishing to plan and deliver arts projects. It includes information useful for staff or volunteers, whether experienced or new, including funding advice, how to find experienced musicians and artists in Derbyshire, how to recruit and contract artists, publicity and evaluation advice, and useful contacts and links to other informative websites and resources.
The Toolkit was produced as part of the ‘Music in Care Homes’ project which took place in 2010 and 2011. The project included professional musicians working within four care homes and one school, and an ‘Audit
of music and arts activities in care settings in North-East Derbyshire’. Also, the Older People’s Arts Forum was initiated: a forum for organisations or groups working with older people to promote and develop the use of arts.
For more information about the Toolkit or the Older People’s Arts Forum contact Roma Gee (Older People’s Arts Forum Co-ordinator), email: [email protected]
The ‘Music in Care Homes’ project was an artistic partnership between North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) Arts Development and Live Music Now!, funded by the District Council, Derbyshire PCT and an ACE Grants for the Arts award.
The Toolkit was produced as part of the ‘Music in Care Homes’ project which took place in 2010 and 2011. The project included professional musicians working within four care homes and one school, and an ‘Audit
of music and arts activities in care settings in North-East Derbyshire’. Also, the Older People’s Arts Forum was initiated: a forum for organisations or groups working with older people to promote and develop the use of arts.
For more information about the Toolkit or the Older People’s Arts Forum contact Roma Gee (Older People’s Arts Forum Co-ordinator), email: [email protected]
The ‘Music in Care Homes’ project was an artistic partnership between North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) Arts Development and Live Music Now!, funded by the District Council, Derbyshire PCT and an ACE Grants for the Arts award.
Reflecting upon the Value of Arts & Health
& a new approach for the East Midlands 2011-2013 - added 25.5.11
Produced by the NHS (Derbyshire, Leicester City and Lincolnshire) in partnership with the Big Difference Company and Managers in Partnership, this document draws together arts and health research, advocacy and some examples of good practice. This new, health-led partnership worked through 2010/11 towards the development of a strategic document, which aims to help embed Arts and Health work within the huge changes taking places across the NHS, local authorities and the Third Sector.
Should you have any queries regarding this programme, the partnership group or the document, we very much look forward to hearing from you.
Should you have any queries regarding this programme, the partnership group or the document, we very much look forward to hearing from you.
Promotion, prevention and early intervention dramatically cut the costs of mental ill health, says government-sponsored research report - added 12.7.11
Every pound spent on parenting programmes to prevent conduct disorder in young children saves the UK £8 over a child's lifetime, according to a report published today by the Department of Health, London School of Economics and Political Science, Centre for Mental Health and Institute of Psychiatry. This economic impact is over and above the positive effects on the child's wellbeing. And the economic returns from school-based programmes to deal with bullying and other behavioural problems are even larger.
Mental Health Promotion and Mental Illness Prevention: the Economic Case is published by the Department of Health, the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) at the LSE, the Centre for the Economics of Mental Health and Centre for Mental Health.
Mental Health Promotion and Mental Illness Prevention: the Economic Case is published by the Department of Health, the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) at the LSE, the Centre for the Economics of Mental Health and Centre for Mental Health.
‘Something Brilliant’: a new arts and health online resource - added 12.7.11
‘Something Brilliant’ is a new online resource for artists and support workers who work with vulnerable groups, from Thames Valley Partnership. This new online resource can be accessed from the home page of the Thames Valley Partnership’s website.
It contains ideas on running practical sessions with young people and vulnerable groups, along with suggestions for evaluation and feedback, a section on resources and useful websites and documents, some case studies and photographs of past projects. There is also an accompanying pack of 10 postcards with snippets of information taken from the website. If you would like a pack of postcards (there is a small charge if you are based outside the Thames Valley region) please email [email protected]
It contains ideas on running practical sessions with young people and vulnerable groups, along with suggestions for evaluation and feedback, a section on resources and useful websites and documents, some case studies and photographs of past projects. There is also an accompanying pack of 10 postcards with snippets of information taken from the website. If you would like a pack of postcards (there is a small charge if you are based outside the Thames Valley region) please email [email protected]
Arts in Health – a new prognosis - added 5.4.11
In this article Mike White looks at how the arts community can adapt and respond to changes in healthcare provision and organisation.
In recent years the arts in health field has acquired the expertise to address a wide spectrum of medical, health and social care issues. It has the resilience and resourcefulness to weather the impending health service reforms in an era of austerity. But it will need to adapt conceptually and in delivery to healthcare environments in which patient choice, GP commissioning power and a new public health workforce are the drivers of change.
In recent years the arts in health field has acquired the expertise to address a wide spectrum of medical, health and social care issues. It has the resilience and resourcefulness to weather the impending health service reforms in an era of austerity. But it will need to adapt conceptually and in delivery to healthcare environments in which patient choice, GP commissioning power and a new public health workforce are the drivers of change.
Derbyshire Libraries Wellbeing Project
– access to reading or writing groups for people with mental health issues
For those who are feeling isolated, depressed, anxious, or simply have fallen out of the reading habit, joining a book group, being read to or taking part in a creative writing workshop can be a good way to socialise, relax, build up confidence and make new friends. Many people find developing their creative skills, and working collaboratively to share and discuss their work with others can be beneficial to their mental wellbeing.
For the past couple of years Derbyshire Libraries Wellbeing Project has been encouraging people with mental health issues to read and talk about their reading with others, or to develop their creative writing skills.
We can offer:
• Help, advice and support in setting up a book or writing group
• Reading advice and information including ideas for reading activities to suit different audiences
• One-off poetry sessions, talks on book related themes, informal book-related events
• Free sets of books to borrow and suggestions for what to read
• Library space for meetings
However……
• We are not able to facilitate reading groups on an ongoing basis
• We are keen readers, rather than health professionals, who believe reading for pleasure can have therapeutic benefits for everyone
• We recognise that this is one way to support people with mental health issues, but it does not replace treatment available from GPs or mental health services.
For more information see the website, contact your nearest library, or Priscilla Baily, Wellbeing Project Manager: [email protected] /Tel: 01773 831359
Please do forward this leaflet to any interested parties.
For those who are feeling isolated, depressed, anxious, or simply have fallen out of the reading habit, joining a book group, being read to or taking part in a creative writing workshop can be a good way to socialise, relax, build up confidence and make new friends. Many people find developing their creative skills, and working collaboratively to share and discuss their work with others can be beneficial to their mental wellbeing.
For the past couple of years Derbyshire Libraries Wellbeing Project has been encouraging people with mental health issues to read and talk about their reading with others, or to develop their creative writing skills.
We can offer:
• Help, advice and support in setting up a book or writing group
• Reading advice and information including ideas for reading activities to suit different audiences
• One-off poetry sessions, talks on book related themes, informal book-related events
• Free sets of books to borrow and suggestions for what to read
• Library space for meetings
However……
• We are not able to facilitate reading groups on an ongoing basis
• We are keen readers, rather than health professionals, who believe reading for pleasure can have therapeutic benefits for everyone
• We recognise that this is one way to support people with mental health issues, but it does not replace treatment available from GPs or mental health services.
For more information see the website, contact your nearest library, or Priscilla Baily, Wellbeing Project Manager: [email protected] /Tel: 01773 831359
Please do forward this leaflet to any interested parties.
Patience: an insider's guide to surviving ill-health
This groundbreaking new community arts publication collects artworks and poems made by older patients in hospital some in the process of recovery, some coming to terms with dying. It gives their accounts of the emotional journey through illness, alongside interviews with nurses, doctors, carers. It is a book that trail-blazes innovative techniques in community- and hospital-based art, combining image and text and using avant-garde writing techniques which are often more inclusive than other approaches
“There were times when I was reading this book that the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and I felt my eyes prick with tears...” Fiona Roscoe, Advanced Nurse Practitioner
The book is lavishly illustrated throughout by participants’ work, with introductions from workshop leaders. The care taken to devise workshops and to present the finished pieces demonstrates that work in this field can be playful and inclusive without losing expressive power.
Artist Lois Blackburn and poet Philip Davenport from the arthur+martha arts organisation, who ran the hospital workshops with participants and compiled the collection, are happy to deliver similar workshops to your clientele - to find more information or download a preview copy see the arthur+martha website.
“There were times when I was reading this book that the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and I felt my eyes prick with tears...” Fiona Roscoe, Advanced Nurse Practitioner
The book is lavishly illustrated throughout by participants’ work, with introductions from workshop leaders. The care taken to devise workshops and to present the finished pieces demonstrates that work in this field can be playful and inclusive without losing expressive power.
Artist Lois Blackburn and poet Philip Davenport from the arthur+martha arts organisation, who ran the hospital workshops with participants and compiled the collection, are happy to deliver similar workshops to your clientele - to find more information or download a preview copy see the arthur+martha website.
Healthy Lives, Healthy People
The Public Health White Paper (Healthy Lives, Healthy People) and the NHS White paper (Liberating the NHS) set out radical changes to the delivery of public health and the organisation of the NHS.
Government White Paper: Equity & Excellence: Liberating the NHS:This is an executive summary of the NHS White Paper which sets out the Government's long-term vision for the future of the NHS.
Government White Paper: Healthy Lives, Healthy People: our strategy for public health in England: This White Paper sets out the Government’s long-term vision for the future of public health in England. The aim is to create a ‘ wellness’ service (Public Health England) and to strengthen both national and local leadership. It responds to Professor Sir Michael Marmott’s ‘ Fair society, Healthy lives’ report. It supports a ‘ life course’ approach and the ‘ladder of intervention’ (the least intrusive interventions to achieve the desired effect – voluntary approaches before regulation). The central theme of the White Paper is to make local government and local communities empowered, responsible, accountable and resourced to improve health, wellbeing and tackle inequalities.
Government paper: A Vision for Adult Social Care: Capable communities and active citizens. The Vision sets out how the Government wishes to see services delivered for people; a new direction for adult social care, putting personalised services and outcomes centre stage.
Government White Paper: Equity & Excellence: Liberating the NHS:This is an executive summary of the NHS White Paper which sets out the Government's long-term vision for the future of the NHS.
Government White Paper: Healthy Lives, Healthy People: our strategy for public health in England: This White Paper sets out the Government’s long-term vision for the future of public health in England. The aim is to create a ‘ wellness’ service (Public Health England) and to strengthen both national and local leadership. It responds to Professor Sir Michael Marmott’s ‘ Fair society, Healthy lives’ report. It supports a ‘ life course’ approach and the ‘ladder of intervention’ (the least intrusive interventions to achieve the desired effect – voluntary approaches before regulation). The central theme of the White Paper is to make local government and local communities empowered, responsible, accountable and resourced to improve health, wellbeing and tackle inequalities.
Government paper: A Vision for Adult Social Care: Capable communities and active citizens. The Vision sets out how the Government wishes to see services delivered for people; a new direction for adult social care, putting personalised services and outcomes centre stage.
Dementia Information Prescription
Jane Hudson-Oldroyd, Public Health Strategy Manager at Derby PCT recommends that the Dementia Information Prescription should be used like a ‘yellow pages’ of information for professionals, carers and people with dementia.
Guidance and Signposting for creative workers working in health contexts
Derbyshire Arts Partnership has produced an information sheet for artists and arts and health workers to provide information about training and professional development opportunities relating to the arts and health.
Research report into public libraries' contribution to health and wellbeing
A research report into public libraries' contribution to health and wellbeing, carried out by The Reading Agency and Dept of Information and Science at Loughborough University, was published on 21st May 2010. Entitled 'Public library activity in the areas of health and well-being', the authors are Debbie Hicks, Claire Creaser, Helen Greenwood, Valérie Spezi, Sonya White and Neil Frude.
Ageing Artfully
The Baring Foundation have released their Ageing Artfully report, which was written primarily to inform the Baring Foundation in preparation for the launch of its new programme for arts organisations working with older people in the UK. It concentrates on activity that could be funded under that programme and it is now being disseminated more widely both as a background document to potential applicants but also because no mapping study of this area, seeking to cover the UK, has been published before.
Fully Engaged and Culturally Connected
- report on arts and health in Derbyshire.
Derbyshire Primary Care Trust and Derbyshire Community Health Services have commissioned a paper
that explores the potential of culture and the arts across healthcare services in the County.
Derbyshire Primary Care Trust and Derbyshire Community Health Services have commissioned a paper
that explores the potential of culture and the arts across healthcare services in the County.
Mental capital and wellbeing
A panel of 400 scientists have concluded that five simple steps incorporated into daily life can fortify mental health. This can contribute to a more productive and fulfilling life. Their ‘five-a-day’ programme for mental wellbeing consists of:
- incorporating simple activities into everyday life, such as gardening or DIY
- getting active and taking up a physical activity that you enjoy, such as swimming or dancing
- regularly making a positive effort to learn a new skill, such as cooking, learning a language or playing a
musical instrument
- a bit of philanthropy – helping others, for example, by volunteering or giving to charity
- getting curious and living in the moment – trying to pick one positive moment from everyday is a useful
exercise
The report, compiled by Foresight, a government think tank, in 2008 can be found here - added Dec 2010.
- incorporating simple activities into everyday life, such as gardening or DIY
- getting active and taking up a physical activity that you enjoy, such as swimming or dancing
- regularly making a positive effort to learn a new skill, such as cooking, learning a language or playing a
musical instrument
- a bit of philanthropy – helping others, for example, by volunteering or giving to charity
- getting curious and living in the moment – trying to pick one positive moment from everyday is a useful
exercise
The report, compiled by Foresight, a government think tank, in 2008 can be found here - added Dec 2010.
East Midlands Arts and Health Network
For updates from the East Midlands Arts & Health Network, contact the Big Difference Company:
Anna Peavitt, Project Manager, Big Difference Company, LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1RE
T: +44 (0) 116 261 6812
[email protected]
www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk
Anna Peavitt, Project Manager, Big Difference Company, LCB Depot, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1RE
T: +44 (0) 116 261 6812
[email protected]
www.bigdifferencecompany.co.uk
New National Strategy Group for Art in Mental Health
A National Strategy group has been formed to take forward the arts and mental health, with a range of representatives from across the country.
The objectives of the group are:-
* To influence and develop national policy on art and mental health.
* To identify and share positive practice in art and mental health.
* To increase opportunities to showcase the creative talents of people who experience mental health problems.
* To develop an international network for anyone who shares our objectives.
* To provide a strong voice for people with an interest in art and mental health.
* To convince policy makers of the important role the arts have to play in aiding recovery in mental health.
Organisations already involved include: Arts and Minds Network Cambs., Breakthrough, British Association of Art Therapists, 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, Forge Arts, HOOT, The Institute of Psychiatry, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, London Arts in Health Forum, The Mental Health Foundation, O.T.’s in Mental Health, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Pathways, Personality Plus, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Start in Salford, the University of Canterbury, the University of Manchester, Waddington Street, Wolverhampton City PCT.
The group are keen to hear from those with an interest in mental health, well being and art. This group will get things done, and really does believe in collaborative working.
For further information please either email [email protected] or visit the website at www.breakthroughmhart.com
The objectives of the group are:-
* To influence and develop national policy on art and mental health.
* To identify and share positive practice in art and mental health.
* To increase opportunities to showcase the creative talents of people who experience mental health problems.
* To develop an international network for anyone who shares our objectives.
* To provide a strong voice for people with an interest in art and mental health.
* To convince policy makers of the important role the arts have to play in aiding recovery in mental health.
Organisations already involved include: Arts and Minds Network Cambs., Breakthrough, British Association of Art Therapists, 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, Forge Arts, HOOT, The Institute of Psychiatry, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, London Arts in Health Forum, The Mental Health Foundation, O.T.’s in Mental Health, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Pathways, Personality Plus, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Start in Salford, the University of Canterbury, the University of Manchester, Waddington Street, Wolverhampton City PCT.
The group are keen to hear from those with an interest in mental health, well being and art. This group will get things done, and really does believe in collaborative working.
For further information please either email [email protected] or visit the website at www.breakthroughmhart.com
Reports
Mental Health, Social Inclusion and the Arts - added Dec 2010.
Rotherham’s Arts in Health Artspulse Toolkit to help with evaluating arts and health projects - added Dec 2010.
Rotherham’s Arts in Health Artspulse Toolkit to help with evaluating arts and health projects - added Dec 2010.
The Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is inviting organisations and individuals to apply for funding through its Arts Awards. The Arts Awards support projects that engage the public with biomedical science through the arts including dance, drama, performance arts, visual arts, music, film, craft, photography, creative writing or digital media. Applications are invited for projects up to £30,000.
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
As part of their Ageing & Social Cohesion programme, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation over the next 12 months is looking to award 20 projects up to £30,000 each to develop intergenerational pilot projects seeking to Address a 21st Century Challenge. See funding news pages for details.