Art at the Heart of the RUH
pARTicipate
Art at the Heart of the RUH Participatory Arts Programme Interim Evaluation Report May 2015
Participatory Arts Programme Interim Evaluation Report May 2015
pARTicipate
Forget Me Not - Elske Carels-Watson
pARTicipate
Participatory Arts Programme Index Contents Page No. 1. Introduction 1-2 2. The Projects 3-10 3.
Objectives, Purpose, Outcomes, The Team
11-12
4. Evaluation Approach 13-16 5. Meeting the Outcomes 17-27 6. Key themes 28
“The arts and cultural sector has huge potential to positively impact on the health and wellbeing of the population and provide innovative and creative pathways to reducing inequalities in England, but the sector, and commissioners, must be more effective at collecting and using data to demonstrate this in real time.� Dr Justin Varney, National Lead for Adult Health and Wellbeing, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Public Health England
Participatory Arts Programme Interim Evaluation Report May 2015
pARTicipate
1. Introduction This report presents the interim evaluation findings for the participatory programme “pARTicipate”, a 2-year participatory arts project at the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH). The project was developed by the Art at the Heart team and funded by Arts Council England, Bath and North East Somerset, RUH charitable funds and the Medlock Trust. The report details the projects aims, objectives and outcomes, what activities have taken place to enable them to be achieved to date and the project outputs. It also describes the evaluation approach and data collection methods. Most importantly it evaluates ward, performance and workshop activity completed to the end of April 2015.
Memory - Lydia Williams
Art at the Heart’s (AATH) participatory programme provides year round opportunities for patients and their families to engage with the arts. The programme provides the RUH with creative, interactive projects working across all art forms in partnership with medical staff, artists, volunteers and cultural organisations. It includes but is not limited to workshops, residencies, exhibitions, installations and public art commissions that support the RUH’s Five Year Plan and medical goals. Committed to excellence and innovation the programme provides creative opportunities to the whole community through partnerships, participation and collaboration; and create stimulating and uplifting spaces for patients, staff and the wider hospital community. Workshops take place in wards and dayrooms, with groups and one to one at patients’ bedsides. Clinical staff help to identify which patients to prioritise. We hope to promote a widespread understanding of the importance of arts in healthcare. This report is an interim evaluation of Artsparks, Soundbite and related projects that have been funded by this programme.
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Elske Carels-Watson
The project was developed by the Art at the Heart team and funded by Arts Council England, Bath and North East Somerset and the Medlock Trust.
pARTicipate
1. Introduction The Projects
“Art at the Heart is always creating new opportunities for patients, visitors and staff to experience and pARTicipate in the arts.” Art at the Heart of the RUH, the hospital’s art charity has been running for 15 years, developing every year, the programme strives to reach new audiences and currently delivers workshops to the children’s and older patient’s wards. Reminiscence Therapy improves well-being. “It is widely recognised that the arts have a key role to play in delivering an improved patient environment.” Art at the Heart encourages and supports social skills and interaction between patients. The aims of pARTicipate workshops are to increase patients’ self-esteem and confidence by introducing them to a new skill that they can then share with their family, friends and loved ones.
Bear in a bed - Children’s Ward
Exploring Nature Workshop
The Playroom (Artsparks) Children’s Ward
Paper Birch Laura with a patient
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1. Projects
pARTicipate
Soundbite
Soundbite brings a varied line up of live music and creative activities to patients, visitors and staff members at the Royal United Hospitals Bath, delivering high quality live music and creative reminiscence interactive workshops for older and younger patients.
Lunchtime Performances
The Lunchtime performance programme provides music to the wards and public areas of the RUH. We have a variety of musicians to suit most tastes, from folk, jazz and blues, to classical and world music. We use local musicians and musicians from organisations such as Live Music Now and the Bath Folk Festival.
Harpist Joy Cornick
This year we have held 29 performances, including the locally celebrated Bath Folk Festival week where 5 performances took place over 5 days. Using feedback from the live musical performances it is evident that staff, patients and visitors appreciate listening to live music and it has been noted that the music helps calm nerves and anxiety for patients having treatment or visitors waiting for a relative.
Frankie’s Interactive Performances
Frankie Simpkins, musician in residence entertains patients and their families with an on-going and fully inclusive music service for the hospital with weekly interactive performances, tailored to all ages and tastes. She gives patients an opportunity to learn about a range of instruments, join in with performances or simply tap their feet and sing along. Songs are chosen to complement and enhance the atmosphere on the wards, if the environment dictates it, Frankie might sing slower quieter songs to promote a calmer atmosphere, likewise, if the ward is low and down she will sing uplifting songs to lift the mood. She takes requests and is always willing to learn a patients favourite song if she doesn’t already know it. The music Frankie sings often promotes reminiscence and discussion so a lot of time can be spent talking to patients about their experiences and memories that were invoked through her singing.
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Francesca K - Combe Tea Party
“Thank you for making our visit more pleasant. Felt privileged to watch such a talented, and beautiful voice entertain us for free!” - Patient
pARTicipate
New for 2015
Music on the Children’s Ward
Since February our Musician in Residence Frankie Simpkins has been performing once a week on the Children’s Ward. Adding to her extensive repertoire of golden oldies, Frankie has perfected the most difficult of Disney classics such as ‘I want to be like you’; ‘Hakuna Matata’ and the beautiful ‘Colours of the Wind’ whilst keeping the biggest of Frozen fans happy with the popular ‘Let it go’.
New for 2015
Soundbite: The Album Soundbite The Album will soon be available to all wards across the RUH, featuring a selection of golden oldies and kids favourites here at the hospital. A special ‘Making Of’ film was also produced.
Musician in Residence Frankie Simpkins performing in the Playroom
“Excellent and a thoughtful idea to provide an uplifting atmosphere in an otherwise grim surrounding. Very original please keep up this good work” Visitor
AATH would like to thank the Riverside Youth Hub Recording Studio, Bath for all their support and kindness.
Bath Folk Festival 2014
In 2014, the Festival applied for funding to B&NES to provide the RUH awith a programme of performances every day from Monday 11th - Friday 15th August. This gave us the opportunity to trial new areas of the hospital including the Stroke Unit and Cheseldon Wards. All five performances were excellent and very entertaining.
Mac Seka
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2. Projects
pARTicipate
Stitch in Time
Reminiscence has been a key factor in further projects; ‘Stitch in Time’ offers a series of textile workshops to elderly patients every Friday morning on Combe Ward with artist in residence Edwina Bridgeman and 3-4 students/volunteers, and has been a huge success. Introducing Creative Art and Textiles to elderly patients. Combe Ward was recently re-furbished as part of the King’s Fund Dementia friendly environments and workshops take place in their welcoming and spacious day room. The workshops involve a combination of activities such as crochet, knitting, drawing and collage, as well as story-telling, poetry reading and creative writing. These activities inspire and hopefully encourage patients to engage in conversation whilst they are collaboratively making textile artworks.
Volunteer Anna with a patient
Reminiscence Panels
An Example of a Glow Moment Blog Entry We had such a wonderful morning on Combe ward today. I spent time with a lovely lady who had done some drawing last week, she asked if she could do some more so we got out the paper and pens. She loves flowers and her garden so we talked all about her favourite flowers and she drew each one – a poppy for her daughter, a pansy (little faces – she calls them) and a daffodil. She talked of how she loves the smell of Fuchsias and and how her mum loved daffodils. She told me all about a plant she and her husband had got for their wedding and how it survived for 24 years. “It was like an old friend” she said, “even my husband had a tear when it died”. Her face lit up talking about her garden – it was so lovely to witness. Lucy, Stitch in Time Volunteer, Combe Ward
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A Flower Garden - Patient’s Sketch
pARTicipate
Stitch in Time Workshop, Combe Ward Dayroom
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2. Projects
pARTicipate
Exploring Nature with Paper Birch/ Student Placement/ Liberated Words
Exploring Nature was a 6 week project, where two Royal College of Art students, Faith Wray and Laura Venables , travelling from London each week brought diversity to their ‘Paper Birch’ workshops at the RUH by providing a series of options and creative techniques for participants and carers to choose from. The MA students looked at how patients responded to the materials provided, the process of making and how they communicated as a group. Faith and Laura say they both benefit, emotionally and physically from their own artistic practice and are passionate about sharing this; therefore the planning and delivery of their own bespoke workshops came naturally.
“We cannot thank you enough for letting us be part of your Art at the Heart programme, it was better than we could ever have imagined!” Laura Venables
Having both worked creatively within the community they both saw the need for this type of carefully curated stimulation within a hospital environment. Like many others, they have both experienced the impact dementia has on people’s lives so they felt this seemed the most meaningful and appropriate area for them to work in. All 6 workshops were warmly received by staff who noticed a positive change in atmosphere to a happier and calmer place. In addition patients were also less likely to wonder, were more relaxed and were more likely to stay at the table and have lunch with the other patients after a workshop.
Explore Nature Workshop
An Example of a Glow Moment Blog Entry One man was particularly sad that he couldn’t take part in the workshops as he was feeling too poorly, but as soon as we got chatting we realised that talking about painting could be as enjoyable as doing it! He drew out the shape of one of his favourite paintings he had done, with his fingers in front of him. He enthused about colour, the shape and of 60s records, which have beautiful large illustrations, which are perfect for inspiration for painting. We told the idea to Diane, who said she thought it was fantastic and that she would use it as a theme for a future workshop, he was delighted! Laura and Faith, Exploring Nature Workshop, Combe Ward
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This Glow Moment led to the idea of producing a pARTicipate 45” Vinyl Sleeve, booklet and Record
pARTicipate
Student Placement
In May 2014 the RUH’s new Pathology Department opened for use. In a climate in which laboratories are being closed and merged across the country, the RUH were very proud to take possession of a state of the art new facility on the RUH site housing the Cellular Pathology, Biochemistry, Haematology and Microbiology departments. The building is on a large scale and currently has lots of bare white wall space. It is the work place for about 140 staff, is visited by a variety of clinical and professional personnel from outside the department and is also accessed by patients delivering samples for blood tests and fertility investigations to the Specimen Reception area, where there is some designated seating. Elske Carels-Watson, a young Bath Spa University graduate completed a year’s residency with Art at the Heart. She has created a beautiful and intricate artwork for the wall space opposite the patient seating area by the specimen reception. She works in textiles and is interested in the shapes and forms of tissues, cells and micro-organisms, so her work was ideally suited to the brief.
Elske Carels-Watson Final Piece
Liberated Word
Furthermore, last summer ‘Liberated Word’ provided patients with an opportunity to take part in group workshops in order to create the folklore video poem, The Golden Bird. The 3 workshops took place for Golden Bird in summer 2014. The Liberated Word team were able to pull together stories from patients and produce film footage to create a film. Edwina created a beautiful Golden Bird, Old Lady of the Forest and a forest scene with young patients on the Children’s ward. The Collaboration with Combe Ward and the Children’s Ward shows an example of and the potential for, cross generational working. Although they did not work together the children were aware that the project was for patients on Combe. Patients on Combe loved the figures and scenery, and the fact that children had made them. Musician in residence, Frankie created the soundtrack of birdsong on her flute. Activities such as these have been a real asset to the wards and have given patients who may feel socially isolated something to get involved in and talk about whilst in hospital.
Golden Bird - Film Stills
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2. Projects
pARTicipate
Artsparks
Artsparks regularly presents a series of creative workshops, led by artist in residence, Edwina Bridgeman, to young patients on the Children’s Ward. The aim is simple, to create a positive environment using professional artists to give young patients, and their families a therapeutic distraction from their illness and treatment. The workshops take place every Wednesday and a different theme is introduced each week. Themes such as ‘The Spring Tree’, ‘Favourite Day Out’ and ‘Moshi Monsters’ have proved popular as Edwina provides the children with an exciting mix of materials to use. For example, drawings are created on daler board or wood with pastel, pencil, pen and paint, 3D sculptures are made with plastic mushroom crates and embroidery threads, intricate scenes are formed in cardboard boxes, whilst other found materials are made into little houses. The possibilities are endless and creative engagement with a variety of new materials allows children to enjoy the freedom to produce their own work in a safe, supportive and nonjudgemental setting.
“Edwina is fantastic, a very big thank you for being so fantastic with my son. An inspiring time at hospital, the artwork is amazing.” Parent
Artist in Residence Edwina Bridgeman (credit: Pixel Photography)
Ship of Fools - Sea Monsters (Nov 2014)
Children and their families collaborated with our Artist in Residence Edwina Bridgeman on a completely different level for this exciting exhibition project. Inspired by Edwina’s solo show ‘The Ship of Fools’ at the Victoria Art Gallery, children and parents transformed everyday materials and objects into sea monsters to accompany Edwina’s figures. Children made jelly fish creatures from net and wool, foam flat fish, cone star fish and bugged eyed octopuses, relishing the freedom to explore materials and discovering what they can do with the help of their fantastic imaginations.
“The children have truly participated, across age groups and gender, quietly supporting one another, I feel very privileged to have witnessed many small acts of kindness within the workshops and complete surprise and delight from the patients that creating a sea monster from junk was part of their hospital stay.” Edwina Bridgeman
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Ship of Fools - Victoria Art Gallery
Children’s Sea Monsters
pARTicipate
The Four Seasons
Edwina also created an exhibition consisting of 4 deep box panels based on the ‘Four Seasons’ with young patients and these 3D artworks have been showcased in the RUH Artsparks corridor. Artsparks is fully inclusive, building relationships with many of our regular patients. The work takes place in groups and one-to-one at children’s bedsides and activities are designed to be easy to dip in and out of. Children often start workshops shy and unsure but leave with huge smiles and an enormous sense of achievement. Inevitably this makes the whole ward and playroom a happier place. Patients are encouraged to use their imagination and develop their own ideas during the workshops. The artwork produced can then be taken home, shown to clinical staff or be installed in the public Artsparks gallery in Zone B which reaches an audience of 22,000 people per year.
Spring - Four Seasons
Summer - Four Seasons
“Oncology nurse from outpatients didn’t realise I was in the playroom on Wednesday, said she will send some of her patients along so that she can speak to the parents on their own. They were very happy that this opportunity had been created.” Edwina Bridgeman A patients creation on the Children’s Ward
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pARTicipate
3. Objectives/Purpose Outcomes/Team pARTicipate was designed to achieve the following objectives through the participatory programmes:
The following focus areas were discussed and agreed with the creative team at the outset of the project:
• To deliver arts projects to support the healing of patients • To give patients, staff and visitors the opportunity to be creative and to showcase their work • To promote a widespread understanding of the important of arts in healthcare • To establish good working relationships with clinical staff and patients • To develop and innovative service with exceptionally high standards • To encourage younger people to take part in arts and cultural activities, for example through student placements and involvement with schools • To be recognised for our quality service by external organisations and the community that we serve
Purpose Outcomes for Participants: patients, families, carers • Improvement and recovery • Encouragement and self esteem • Participation and sharing Outcomes for the Creative Team: RUH ward staff, artists, mentor, project management • Improve and embed our learning • Develop awareness of practice The output indicators were identified as follows: • How many workshops • How often the workshops ran • How many people attended the workshops: how many visitors, carers and how many staff
The Playroom - Children’s Ward
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Francesca K - Musician in Residence
pARTicipate
The outcomes and outputs are monitored using the following methods: • Log book containing number of sessions and number of participants (including the percentage of those with dementia) • Postcards used as a space for participants to provide comments about the workshops • Observations recorded in artists’ reflective journals about how the patients responded to the workshops • Discussions with clinical staff to determine the ongoing benefits of the project • Visitors asked to comment on how the patients engaged with the workshops
The Creative Team comprises of the following people:
The following challenges of collecting data in a hospital setting were discussed and are recognised throughout this report:
Play workers Education staff Musicians Volunteers: Anna Hurwitz,
• • • • • • • •
Participant engagement in evaluation process Non-biased data Respecting participants needs Participant disabilities Dementia awareness Time – data collection and dissemination Resources – data collection and dissemination Skills – data analysis
Hetty Dupays
Arts Manager, Art at the Heart RUH
Diane Samways
Marketing and Audience Development Manager, Art at the Heart RUH
Edwina Bridgeman
Artist in residence, Participatory Arts Programme RUH
Frankie Simpkins
Musician in residence, Participatory Arts Programme RUH Participants: Patients, Visitors
Lucy Bell and Lydia Williams
Penny Hay
mentor and evaluator, 5x5x5=creativity
Activity began in May 2015 and will continue until May 2016 and has involved the creative team at Art at the Heart in the delivery of the project, reflection and evaluation. 5x5x5=creativity were commissioned to provide mentoring support for the artists and wider team and to write the evaluation of the project.
Top left to right: Artist in Residence Edwina Bridgeman and Musician in Residence Frankie Simpkins, Volunteers: Lucy Bell, Lydia Williams and Anna Hurwitz
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pARTicipate
4. Evaluation Approach The Participatory Arts Programme Evaluation Framework is formative and allows the creative team to: • support creative practice in action • develop the ability to analyse and evaluate different approaches to creative practice • develop a reflective approach • gain personal and professional insights • make changes to and develop creative practice ‘Reflection deepens learning. The act of reflecting is one that causes us to make sense of what we’ve learned, why we learned it, and how that particular increment of learning took place. Moreover, reflection is about linking one increment of learning to the wider perspective of learning – heading towards seeing the bigger picture.
Gather Evidence
Identify Outcomes
Mission/ Purposes Educational Objectives
Interpret Evidence
Implement Change
Reflection is equally useful when our learning has been unsuccessful – in such cases indeed reflection can often give us insights into what may have gone wrong with our learning, and how on future occasion we might avoid now-known pitfalls. Most of all, however, it is increasingly recognised that reflection is an important transferable skill, and is much valued by all around us, in employment, as well as in life in general.’ (Race 2002)
Reflection is at the heart of this approach. The Creative Team are reflecting on practice and collecting ‘glow moments’ that show significant and illuminative moments in learning of both the participants and the creative team. Snapshot of the Glow Blog
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pARTicipate
About Glow Moments 5x5x5=creativity is developing an emerging approach to evaluation based on ‘Glow moments’. It was agreed by the creative team that they would test this approach in this project and have added to this with the documentation and recognition of ‘low moments’ when practice can be found to be difficult or challenging. ‘.. a kind of glow: some detail – a fieldnote fragment or a video image – starts to glimmer, gathering our attention. Things both slow down and speed up at this point. On the one hand, the detail arrests the listless traverse of our attention across the surface of the screen or page that holds the data, intensifying our gaze and making us pause to burrow inside it, mining it for meaning. On the other hand, connections start to fire up: the conversation gets faster and more animated as we begin to recall other incidents and details in the project classrooms, our own child-hood experiences, films or artwork that we have seen, articles that we have read.’ (MacLure 2010) The ‘glow moments’ emerges from deep, critical reflection on powerful and transformational experiences at the heart of the work with 5x5x5=creativity. These glow moments help us as a team reflect on the powerful creative thought and action of children and adults and have affected a positive shift in the work that we do. Sometimes these ‘glow moments’ present themselves vividly and intensely as they happen, other times they emerge slowly through close and sensitive reflection and critical thought processes. Each ‘glow moment’ has developed through collaborative discussion, recollection and debate.
Frankie Simpkin’s First Vlog
They are a product of multiple perspectives, brought together in a process of crystallisation through which we come to see that there is more than one way in which to see the world. Through this collaborative reflection and evaluation of our work we come to recognise those moments that are truly transformational in the work that we do.
Glow Blog Feedback Form
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Patient making a dinosaur on the Children’s Ward
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pARTicipate
4. Evaluation Approach Methods of delivery and data collection with the creative team: • Establishing an enquiry framework and action plan with creative practitioners. • Reflection in action: through dialogue, email, professional development events and provocations, punctuated with regular meetings to give an overview of progress as well as to raise issues that will benefit from the support of the team. • Each artist/team member to keep a reflective journal. • A project blog to share ‘glow’ and ‘low’ moments • Artists to contribute their pre- mid- and end-project analyses and outcomes, face-to-face and/or in writing. Methods of evaluation and data collection with participants: • Observation and documentation of the activities and the resulting participant responses by creative team and clinical staff • Questionnaires and interviews, feedback forms, informal conversations • Monitoring, tracking information from hospital systems The 5x5x5=creativity team act as a mentor to the RUH artist team, to develop the potential of imaginative and creative learning of all involved and to: • support creative practitioners in generating new ideas and to facilitate the development of genuinely innovative practice that is disciplined and has a clear sense of purpose and value. • maintain integrity, quality and rigour in all of the work: to embed creativity in the RUH’s daily activities and exemplify imagination, curiosity, playfulness, kindness, generosity and sensitivity as key processes. • support the wider RUH artist team in their own creative professional learning, to develop innovative approaches to excellence, sharing these widely through thorough evaluation processes.
The Role of the Mentor The practitioner needs to be removed form the fallacy of certainties, (assuming instead) responsibility to choose, experiment, discuss, reflect and change … and maintaining in her work the pleasure of amazement and wonder.” Fortunati (2006)
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5. Meeting the Outcomes
At this stage of the project the outcomes are being met in the following ways: I.
To deliver arts projects to support the healing of patients
The Art at the Heart (AATH) programme has evolved over the past 15 years. This programme of funded work has enabled AATH to employ their artists for a significant period of time, 3.5 days per week (musician 2 days, visual artist 1.5 days) for 24 months. ‘Research shows that creative activities can enhance the quality of life of patients, improve communication and understanding of patients’ needs, reduce stress, and often lead to a reduction in the level of medication required’. (Staricoff 2002) To date the project has delivered: 2 full time posts within the AATH team to support, promote and evaluate the programme 1265 workshops sessions with patients and their families 63 sharing sessions 41 exhibitions This resource supports sustained and in-depth work with patients which is truly responsive to their needs and supports healing. ‘In August I spent time working closely with families, responding to individual needs and interests. Patients often had their siblings present which extended the work and enabled the whole family to feel involved together. Serious illness in the family is difficult for all. I noticed the huge value to families of being able to work together. Siblings, parents and grand parents were less anxious and felt comfortable in the safety of the playroom given the opportunity to work creatively and to support each other.’ Edwina Bridgeman, Visual Artist in Residence
Tree of Life in the Children’s Exhibition Corridor space
‘Research shows that creative activities can enhance the quality of life of patients, improve communication and understanding of patients’ needs, reduce stress, and often lead to a reduction in the level of medication required’. (Staricoff 2002)
Caption
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pARTicipate
The regularity of the artists’ visits has enabled the team to realise long-held aims and develop new work.
‘Since I have been working at the hospital we have talked about having musicians on the children’s ward but it had never been possible. Earlier this year it was agreed that I would spend an hour on the children’s ward with my ukulele under the guidance of the play specialists and see how it goes. My visit was hugely successful, and I was received in the best possible way, and I have been returning weekly since.’ Frankie Simpkins. Musician in Residence
Fun in The Playroom
‘I was delighted to be asked to join Frankie the Musician in Residence and the volunteers on the ward to consolidate their work with the elders. Frankie and the volunteers all have an easy, respectful way of working on the ward and an excellent understanding of the needs of the patients.’ Edwina Bridgeman, Vsual Artist in Residence
“Pat and Frank” Video on our YouTube channel
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5. Meeting the Outcomes Future Opportunities:
Future Opportunities: • To embed the work of Edwina and Frankie in different wards and staff teams • To start to look at Occupational Therapy and referrals from the school room and other teams • To work more closely with Dementia Coordinators • To consider the gender balance in the programme – are we providing a programme that offers opportunities for male and female participants?
Mountain Flowers
II. To give patients, staff and visitors the opportunity to be creative and to showcase their work The AATH team have ensured that there are suitable spaces and places to showcase the work created during the workshops and sessions with the artists alongside the exhibition programme at the hospital. This gives participants a sense of achievement and moment to celebrate themselves as artists which develops confidence and self esteem. ‘We started the year creating work for a commission for Paediatric outpatients, it commemorate the life of one of the Paediatricians. A day outdoors was the theme and we made a series of boats and animals in a large box frame. This led to creating work for the 4 large wall mounted cases in the Artsparks corridor. The work was installed in the corridors [with the help of a two of young patients] in early August and has been greatly admired.’ Edwina Bridgeman,Visual Artist in Residence
Artsparks
Artsparks Exhibition Corridor
Exploring Nature
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pARTicipate
There have been unexpected outcomes too and as the following example demonstrates how the showcasing of work and the exhibition programme in the hospital can have a direct impact on well being. ‘Recently a young adult from Haygarth ward told me that when she was able, she was wheeled around the hospital to look at the artwork, the Artsparks corridor and the Four Seasons boxes had a huge impact on her. She was inspired to start her own work again, illness had curtailed her textile degree at Central St Martins a few years ago. Although she is unable to access the Children’s ward she sought us out on Combe and successfully took part in the Stitch in Time workshop.’ Edwina Bridgeman, Visual Artist in Residence The sharing of work also promotes the work of the hospital in other settings. In December 2014 work created by children working with Edwina Bridgeman was exhibited as part of the Ship of Fools, Edwina’s exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery I Bath. ‘It was an excellent project with many patients and staff at the Private View, for some it was their first visit to a gallery. The children’s work was an integral part of the show and prompted lots of questions and interest about our work at the Hospital. Most importantly it was a way of showing children how much their work is valued.’ Edwina Bridgeman, Visual Artist in Residence F U T U R E • • • •
2014
Mentoring and support from 5x5x5=creativity Established the Glow Blog and Stitch in Time Workshop Artist and Musician in residence cross-over children and OPU’s for 1st time 3 new volunteers
• • • •
2015
Artsparks at bedsides
“It was an excellent project with many patients and staff at the Private View, for some it was their first visit to a gallery.... The children’s work was an integral part of the show and prompted lots of questions and interest about our work at the Hospital...” P L A N N I N G
2016
Continue mentoring and support from5x5x5=creativity Review strengths, weaknesses from the blog and develop 1-3 strands Establish regular ‘cross-over’ workshops Increase number of volunteers and workshops on new wards
• • •
Work towards Bath’s Child Friendly City status Work towards the RUH’s Dementia Friendly Hospital status Share best practice amongst peers and arts and health organisations
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5. Meeting the Outcomes Future Opportunities:
Future Opportunities: • To link with further city-wide opportunities e.g Bristol and Bath Art Weekender October 2015, Childrens’ Art Week • To create a public blog to promote the work • To link with carers networks I.
To promote a widespread understanding of the important of arts in healthcare
The team have used a number of methods to meet this outcome and promote and reflect on the work of AATH within the creative team, with the hospital and wider community. Some are detailed above as exhibitions and sharings and others are emerging as the project continues.
The team established a blog to share their thoughts, draw out common themes, recognise challenges and in turn identify the ‘glow moments’ from the project which can then be shared with a wider audience...
The team established a blog to share their thoughts, draw out common themes, recognise challenges and in turn identify the ‘glow moments’ from the project which can then be shared with a wider audience. “The idea of distilling a glow moment is very apt. Distillation is the process of separating components. The word ‘moment’ implies an isolated instance, a one off, but the type of ‘glow moment’ we are talking about is so much more than this. In order for the moment to have come about is the result of a number of components: 1. Background, expertise, experience of the facilitator, artist, educator, manager etc. 2. Background, expertise, experience of the participant and/ or family member 3. Popular culture 4. Environmental factors 5. Choice of intervention (textiles, still life, music etc.) The subtle differences that each of the above brings means that the meaning of a moment will slightly differ for each person.’ Diane Samways, AATH Marketing and Audience Development Manager
AATH Website
Background of facilitator
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Background of participant
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Popular culture
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Environmental factors
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Choice of intervention
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The blog also considers specific ways of disseminating the evaluation results and stories from the project. ‘Participants of the programme are encouraged to explore creative ways of disseminating evaluation results and stories and sharing them with the group. So far we have had the following ideas; a glow worm interactive cave, the glow jar, immersive theatre small set design, The Playroom Book, fantasy acrylic paintings taken from glow stories, a 45” vinyl package and a series of short films and animations.’ Diane Samways, AATH Marketing and Audience Development Manager
New for 2015
The concept of ‘glow moments’ has had an impact on how the team are sharing their work with their audiences. ‘A refreshing development is the way that we are now pushing the glow moment format to general documentation and audience development. For example the new Arts Map will help patients and visitors to find their way around the RUH and will include interesting facts presented in an imaginative way and illustrations by young patients can be used to depict an artwork in the hospital just as well as a photo can. It will be informative but also fun.’ Hetty Dupays,
Artsparks: The PlayroomBook
Glow Blog Evaluation Recap
The creative team tend to view the blog every 2 - 4 weeks
Most of the team view the blog at home or on the move
82%
90%
of the creative team regulary reflect upom thier day/ workshop
Say the posts have inspired them to add their own and reflect upon their practice
Glow Blog Snapshot
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5. Meeting the Outcomes Working relationships
Future Opportunities: • To work with clinical staff to gather opinions on what is best for patients (Dr Mike Osborn, Clinical Psychologist) • To work with clinical staff to support a full understanding of the role of the artist on the ward • To share other good practice from the sector with the creative team and wider hospital community IV.
To establish good working relationships with clinical staff and patients
The creative team all speak about the good working relationships they have with the each other and the staff on the Children’s ward and Elders’ Ward which have developed over time and which have been strengthened and developed as part of this programme. ‘This has been a very successful and busy year for Artsparks. We have been building relationships with the Children’s ward over a number of years, the ward is a sensitive environment and good relationships have to be built slowly. The good relations are now well established and are based on mutual trust, respect and kindness. The outcome is that the work feels embedded within the hospital, I am familiar to staff and regular patients.’ Edwina Bridgeman, Visual Artist in Residence
Lyn Gardiner - Play Specialist
‘There is a great energy and atmosphere of camaraderie between all participatory projects and the cross over between Artsparks and Soundbite is certainly helping to create this. Frankie is now planning to spend one session a week on the Children’s ward with Edwina and I know that she has been keen in the past to do this.’ Hetty Dupays, Arts Programme Manager
Expore Nature Workshop
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New and unexpected relationships have sprung up as a result of the artists’ presence on the wards, unearthing hidden creative talents and interests. ‘Over a couple of months a relationship was built up between myself and one of the ward cleaners. He would always clean the floor wherever I was singing, and would sing along with me in harmony. Every week I would sing and he would mop around me and we would sing together. It was so lovely and a number of patients used to laugh and comment on it.’ Frankie Simpkins, Musician in Residence
Paper Birch Faith and Patient
‘Between September and December we created Sea Monsters from junk that were to become part of my exhibition Ship of Fools at the Victoria Art Gallery Bath. Each week I bought a large bag of materials that within minutes were being transformed into octopus, alien fish and monsters. Some of the clinical staff became very interested and donated rubber pipes and other medical equipment to be incorporated. It is unusual to see interest from the clinicians on this level.’ Edwina Bridgeman, Visual Artist in Residence Future Opportunities: • To support clinical staff and other staff members to share their experiences of the project with their peers • To promote the feedback from patients and their families to demonstrate the impact of the project Messy fun in The Playroom
Glow Blog Dissemination Ideas
A narrative style evaluation book
Guide animation videos to the projects
Family time in The Playroom
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5. Meeting the Outcomes Future Opportunities:
Future Opportunities: • To support clinical staff and other staff members to share their experiences of the project with their peers • To promote the feedback from patients and their families to demonstrate the impact of the project V.
To develop and innovative service with exceptionally high standards
The creative team recognise the elements of their practice that are innovative and high quality and also where the work needs development or support to improve this. For example, the blog has supported the team to share their developing practice and other projects or examples of good practice and alongside regular meetings with the team and staff on the wards this feeds into the reflective cycle and development. The Art Manager, who leads the programme articulates her aspirations for the programme and its impact on the wider arts programme within the hospital, in particular she identified reflective practice as an area for development, ‘…one of our aims was to bring a more measured approach to projects and adopt a more critical and reflective understanding.’ And the value of external evaluation and mentoring in the project; ‘External evaluation and mentoring has been helpful; an external observer who can take an objective overview, without which I suspect that progress and learning would not be captured in such a coherent and measured way. It is in fact, very reassuring to have this outside viewpoint; that can pick up on our strengths and weaknesses and help to unpick why something works or doesn’t. Mentoring has been very helpful, because of the quick expansion there has been a lot to take on board for all of us and again having someone who has the experience and objective viewpoint means that we can take a more outward looking approach to the way that we work as a team.’
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Elske Carels-Watson
‘…one of our aims was to bring a more measured approach to projects and adopt a more critical and reflective understanding.’ Hetty Dupays Arts Programme Manager
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Observation and documentation to support the development of personal practice and the evaluation process includes personal journals (visual and written), questionnaires, feedback forms and postcards to aid monitoring with attention to confidentiality. The artists articulate clearly their practice where they respond to the needs, interests and skills of the participants and how they are changing the perception of arts activity in the hospital. There are emerging key themes based on values of the programme e.g kindness, change, transformation, unexpected moments of joy and playfulness.
Stitch in Time Workshop Panel
‘When the facilitator truly follows the child’s lead and becomes immersed in their story and their ideas, transformations take place. The playroom is a safe place where children have the opportunity to be themselves. It is not unusual for patients to request a Wednesday visit giving them the opportunity to take part in a workshop. The value of process over outcome is beginning to be more recognised and understood.’ Edwina Bridgeman, Visual Artist in Residence
‘the sometimes forgotten joy of creating things is revived and taken home to be continued…[there is] lots of laughing…’
‘I had another great moment with a lady who was bed bound and unable to communicate well, but when I sang she mouthed the words along with me. One of her visitors had mentioned she loves singing in the rain, so I sang it for her and then had a brainwave, and used my ipad to get the famous singing in the rain scene on youtube so we were able to watch it together. Her face lit up and she became so animated for that time. ‘ Frankie Simpkins, Musician in Residence
Edwina Bridgeman Visual Artist in Residence
‘the sometimes forgotten joy of creating things is revived and taken home to be continued…[there is] lots of laughing…’ Edwina Bridgeman, Visual Artist in Residence Staff training and development has been prioritised for the creative team, artists and volunteers.
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5. Meeting the Outcomes Future Opportunities:
VI.
To encourage younger people to take part in arts and cultural activities, for example through student placements and involvement with schools
The programme has engaged 13 volunteers to date through links with Bath Spa University and Bristol College. The programme has had an impact on their development and given them valuable experience. ‘I’ve learnt things that I didn’t know I needed to learn’ Lucy, Volunteer The AATH team have also established a new volunteering programme for people from the local community which has given the creative team valuable support and additional expertise.
Stitch in Time Workshop Panel
Future Opportunities: The involvement of local schools, continuing previous partnerships will be explored in year 2 of the project. VII.
To be recognised for our quality service by external organisations and the community that we serve
There have been a number of opportunities to share the work with external organisations and the wider community to date. These opportunities have arisen through networks and relationships developed by the creative team. As mentioned above, in December, artwork created by children in the play room was exhibited as part of Edwina Bridgeman’s exhibition, the Ship of Fools, at Victoria Art Gallery. • A glow moment and textiles were included in Glow, a 5x5x5=creativity exhibition at 44AD Art Space in March 2015. • Organisations such as the Bath Folk Festival are keen to collaborate on AATH programmes • The newly designed Arts Map for the hospital will bring the work to new audiences. • Paper Birch was a project set up by an MA student at the Royal College of Art who was a graduate of Bath Spa University.
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GLOW Exhibition - 44AD Gallery, Bath
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6. Key Themes
Key themes emerging from the Creative Team’s evaluation processes • In summary, the key achievements and strengths of the project were: • The key elements of effective and creative interventions • The differing roles of the artist, facilitator and volunteer – what do the characteristics of success look like? • Distinctive working approaches of artists and play specialists and mutual support from clinical specialists • The importance of a ‘safe environment’ and transparent ethical practices • The art of compassionate care and the role of the arts in supporting health and wellbeing – developing an improved understanding of working with colleagues, helping patients and supporting their families, friends and other hospital visitors. • The value of one to one time with patients and their families • The reassurance of long term funding allows a pulse to emerge – regularity is key to success • The value of on-going reflection, evaluation and mentoring; the collation of stories and g/low moments via the blog with regular meetings. • The ripple effect: long term effects of this work on wider working practices.
Contact Details Art at the Heart of the RUH Estates and Facilities Directorate Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Combe Park Bath, BA1 3NG
Explore Nature Workshop
Artsparks - Children’s Ward
Future Opportunities: The involvement of local schools, continuing previous partnerships will be explored in year 2 of the project.
T: 01225 824987 e: hetty.dupays@nhs.net www.ruh.nhs.uk/art @artatruh
Revised Draft PH/LB edit 22 May 2015 Participatory Arts Programme Interim Evaluation Report May 2015
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‘Use of the arts in healing does not contradict the medical view in bringing emotional, somatic, artistic, and spiritual dimensions to learning. Rather, it complements the biomedical view by focusing on not only sickness and symptoms themselves but the holistic nature of the person. When people are invited to work with creative and artistic processes that affect more than their identity with illness, they are more able to “create congruence between their affective states and their conceptual sense making.” Through creativity and imagination, we find our identity and our reservoir of healing. The more we understand the relationship between creative expression and healing, the more we will discover the healing power of the arts.’ (Staricoff et al 2003)
www.ruh.nhs.uk/art
@artatruh
01225 824987