Aims of the Service/Innovative Practice
To create a ‘how to' publication that documents examples of art and poetry workshops, working with people diagnosed with dementia, their carers and with specialist staff.
Spaghetti maze will be a collection of case study workshops and feature examples of art and poetry made by participants in dementia wards, support groups and care homes. The publication will include workshop ideas and instructions, interviews with participants and staff, journal entries documenting our learning, and give extra inspiration with examples of practice in this field from throughout the world.
The book will be a useful tool for people with dementia to express their views, feelings and needs; the works that they take away will help them communicate better with their carers and staff - and to explore their own lives. The book will be a practical resource for carers, care homes, drop in café's, support groups...
Using experimental art and writing techniques, it will be possible to include many different points of view around dementia - emotive, complicated and considered responses, as well as more light-hearted views of this complex condition. It is hoped that making self-reflective work will contribute to helping participants live well, reducing stigma and misunderstanding, and increase public awareness about dementia.
To launch the publication, we will run a series of Pass it on events partnered with Arts for Health at Manchester Metropolitan University. There will be a follow up study to examine the impact of the book with participating organisations.
What have been the challenges and solutions in setting up and maintaining the innovative practice?
We are getting a great response from the organisations we have discussed the spaghetti maze proposal with, however everyone is under severe funding pressures. We will start writing funding bids shortly, and would welcome any letters of support/interest that will strengthen our bids.
Uniquely, we work with patients using experimental art/poetry techniques (such as cut-up, visual poetry, found objects) that allow participants great freedom of expression. This can be especially valuable for people whose illness means a struggle with communication, like people experiencing dementias. Poems and art can come out of casual conversation, abstract scribbles, impromptu snapshots. These spontaneous things become important moments of self-identity. Because the patients construct the works using their own words and images, the process empowers them - they are ‘doing' rather than ‘done to'. We take our methods from avant garde writers and artists who were often outsiders themselves and their legacy bears close resemblance to the expressive modes of people with unusual mental states.
It has taken us several years and much determination to develop this way of working, pioneering art/poetry strategies that have not yet been accepted by the artistic mainstream, or medical authorities. However, the hugely positive response of patients has continually reaffirmed the importance of maintaining this approach. The enthusiastic response of medical professionals to our recent publication Patience has been further confirmation.
Outcomes (including how this was measured, evaluated and lessons learned): : Evaluation is an intrinsic part of the project. The process of making the work, and the effects of creativity on the participants health and well being will be evaluated by arthur+martha, Manchester Metropolitan University researchers, healthcare staff, carers and patients, using sensitive and appropriate methods of capture. The results carefully documented, assessed and shared through the publication and on our blog.
Plans for the future (e.g. sustainability):
Pass it on
An essential element of the project will be the pass it on event. This launch of the publication will be an opportunity to share our findings, and run a series of training workshops for care home staff, neighbourhood services, healthcare professionals and carers in the North West. These events will be an occasion for participants to try out the workshops in the publication for themselves, an chance to go on their own creative journey, encourage confidence, get inspired to do the art and poetry with others, and network with others.
The Pass it on events will be hosted and promoted by our partner organisation Arts for Health at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Legacy
A five-year study will be undertaken, to measure the impact of the book after it has gone out into the world. Every 6 months arthur+martha will go back to the host venues and gather feedback from participants as how the book has helped and the impact of the workshops. This time will also be used to give updates, refreshers and new ideas for workshops.
Name: Lois Blackburn
Organisation: arthur+martha CIC
Email Address: admin@loisblackburn.co.uk