Arts on Prescription
Arts and Minds is the foundation for the arts and mental health in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, set up to promote and support access to all forms of the arts for mental health service users, learning disabled people and offenders, many of whom have mental health issues and some of whom have learning disabilities.
This project is called Arts on Prescription.
The project aimed to demonstrate to participants and local healthcare and other professionals that participatory arts can be used as a vehicle for promoting health, well-being and social inclusion and addressing mental health issues.
It also aimed to provide a new route into informal adult learning for people who might not otherwise be able to access it easily.
Arts on prescription provided weekly group sessions and taster sessions in arts and craft for mental health service users in Cambridge.
Participants either self-referred or were referred by doctors and other professionals.
The project ended with an exhibition of the work produced by participants.
Participants reported better mental well-being, confidence and social skills as a result of the Arts on prescription courses. The project used a GAD scale to measure changes in anxiety and a PHQ scale to measure changes in depression in participants in the project (see case studies below).
This project also strengthened the partnership with Cambridegshire and Peterborough Mental Health Foundation Trust.
With this kind of project marketing and publicity are very important.
Josie Aston, Research Manager, Arts on Prescription
Tel: 07817 980159 Email: josie.aston@gmail.com
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Resources
The Arts on Prescription information leaflet
The Arts on Prescription information leaflet, the referral form for participants and an Arts Signposting information sheet, pointing participants to further arts activities available locally and online (both aimed at mental health service users and mainstream), are available from their website.
Photographs of artwork
Photographs of artwork produced in the sessions and the celebration event and exhibition held at Kettle's Yard art gallery in Cambridge can be viewed here.
Video interviews
Arts & Minds has recorded video interviews featuring five Arts on Prescription participants talking about their experiences during the project. These will be uploaded in long and short versions to their website.
