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Participation in an arts workshop allows older patients to try new things at a time when they may think this is not an option, and that in itself is exciting and stimulating for them.
Nurse working with older people in a day-centre
Ward and Building
Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough the mental health trust has 70+ buildings. Some of these are purely administrative, but many deliver face to face services. Through successful workshop delivery and a public access gallery we enhance the environment of care for patients, staff and relatives alike.
Cavell Centre Gallery
Our services here include artist-led workshops for staff, patients and carers in which they can produce work that can be entered for selection in the tri-annual exhibition programme under the banner of ‘Cavell Centre Gallery’. Sales of exhibited work bring increased self-esteem that supports recovery for patients and job satisfaction of staff. The public profile of the Gallery plays a significant role in the work we do to counter stigma and discrimination; we will continue to publicise its existence and increase visitor numbers so that all the good work and positive contributions receive attention and are celebrated.
We will seek funding to improve the public & communal areas of the centre through the commissioning of new public art. We also continue to develop the curatorial aspects of the gallery collection, such as labeling, which help tell the story of the work on show.
Future developments may include touring & hiring of artwork to enhance other buildings where mental health care is provided.
Fulbourn Hospital Programme
We continue to deliver a range of art provision (pottery/ceramics, creative writing, dance, visual art and garden design) across wards at Fulbourn Hospital. Sessions are facilitated by a range of professional artists with managed support from volunteers.
A particular group whose needs are addressed through this programme are early onset dementia patients. This group have very few services tailored to their particular needs and the ones they are offered tend to fall under 'older peoples' provision. This is unsatisfactory as they can be affected from as young as their mid forties. needs and the ones they are offered tend to fall under 'older peoples' provision. This is unsatisfactory as they can be affected from as young as their mid forties.
The Croft Child and Family Unit
An environmental art project involving families from The Croft was delivered in partnership with the National Trust’s ‘Anglesey Abbey’. We have applied to Children in Need for funds to continue this work.
The Croft at the Ida Darwin Hospital is an NHS residential service for children with mental health problems and their families. Arts and Minds hope to extend our collaboration (partnered with the National Trust) to include:
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development of an interactive computer game developed as part of home based continuation programme, enabling children to maintain a connection with principles and skills learnt while resident at The Croft.
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a ‘Reader in Residence’, employing the principles developed by The Reader Organisation in Liverpool
Links to past events:
Other links:
www.thecroftchildandfamilyunit.nhs.uk
Inside Out
'Inside Out' our new project involving children, family and staff from The Croft began today in partnership with Anglesey Abbey at Hoe Fen.
The project s funded for three years by Children In Need and will involve outdoor work during the summer months and building based work during winter back at The Croft.....hence 'Inside Out'. Each phase will produce permanent and semi-permanent structures and artworks.
We plan a specific project blog site will develop for those involved to post images and reflections, but also to keep in touch with the longer term progress once their contact with The Croft has come to an end.
Today saw the inaugural session of the first summer phase start in very wet conditions. Despite the challenging weather and with high spirits, energy, commitment & resilience from everyone...especially the children (most of whom seemed oblivious to the weather)......'land art' with pebbles, fence weaving, shelter and gateways were all begun with gusto.
Some will remain while others will be recorded via photography with key themes and ideas being noted and built into the final design.
If today is anything to go by we will certainly see some profound changes over the 12 weeks.
Phase 2 of the project will be based at The Croft and is set to begin in mid-February. Meantime here is a link to see what the children, family members and staff made during Phase 1 at Anglesey Abbey's Hoe Fen. It is a pathway through to the area we will be developing over the course of the three year project.