A Strategy for SLaMto develop the arts in

mental health, wellbeing & recovery

Why are the arts important to SLaM?

Because they help people get well and stay well.

Key points for the Arts Strategy

1. Identify SLaM’s strengths and weaknesses in the arts, and set realistic and achievable goals

2. Need to raise and sustain awareness Trustwide regarding the power and potential of the arts, with the support of the Trust Executive

Our consultation and findings

• Consulted extensively with service users and staff / providers, Trustwide

• Identified key themes • Conducted in-depth research of current literature

and practice

Themes from the Service user consultation

1. Therapeutic2. Creativity3. Stigma4. Access 5. Financial6. Affirmation & Recognition7. Relationships

Fostering relationships Promoting wellbeing Offering treatments Improving social inclusion

Outcomes

Social functioning, networks relationships, connecting.“Art as a connector, with and to things other than oneself” (Thou Art) Peer support, belonging, being valued

Partnerships:with wider arts world and public and mainstream

Enhancing staff & service user involvement, co-production/ co-design & development

Activities that bring people together –exhibitions, events and contemporary art practice

Public engagement

Enhancing healing environment- shared public space

“Allows new spaces in which to be, and new relationships through which to rethink and reconstruct themselves”(Thou Art)

Improving SU experience

Easing/ reducing symptoms

Creative personal space

Enhancing control andEmpowerment

Sense of self: building self esteem; identity;

Connection art & form of spirituality, “flow” (Thou art)

Connecting with abilities, learning new skills;

Recognition/ value/ Affirmation

Expression (words can’t do) & communication

Purpose, motivation, focus

Transforming illness/

Having time out

Improving staff involvement, morale & development

Way “to right lives” and “search for substance” and meaningful sense of “I”. (Thou Art)

Formal treatment by fully trained Arts Psychotherapists- Arts Therapies

Occupational Therapy

Informal and formal arts activities in SLaM

User led arts organisations-workshops/ events/ activities

Artist led workshops

Workshops in arts institutions, museums, galleries

Arts Education & Training:Higher and Further Education

Peer support, friendships, community, brings people together

Valued role (as artist not a SU) and recognition

Rebuilding self esteem and identity as a ‘well person’ and capable

Sense of belonging and cohesive communities

Feeling involved & ways to get involved

Contemporary art as social practice

Lead public engagement & MH promotion ie against stigma

Expanding horizons and purpose

Preserve life stories & experiences

Provide professional platform for showing & appreciating art

Practical support, i.e. mentoring, new roles, tasks

Accessible and acceptable

Consultation & content analysis

Service user narratives

MWIA

Thou Art Film & Research

Arts Therapies evidence- NICE guidance in psychosis

Published research from Academic arts in health

Enhancing the healing environment

Arts organisations feedback/ evidence

PbR/ Honos

OT & other outcome measures

SROI (social return on investment)

Public feedback – MH promotion/ challenging stigma

Reduction in revolving door

Patient experience of mental health services improved through arts. (Picker instit)

Evidence related to the SIR Strategy

Context from other drivers• “For a more co-ordinated integrated set of services;

we need the workforce equipped for challenges, and improved quality and capacity..”

(Exploring our futures in health and social care in Lambeth & Southwark)

• “Spending on arts & health is and should be seen as a legitimate, integral part of good health care and good staff management, and entirely appropriate for NHS activity & investment”

(DH 2007)

• “Lambeth will be a vibrant & creative place to live, work and learn”

(Lambeth mental wellbeing programme)

• Lewisham values: sense of place, creative economy, creativity & skills, active cohesive communities

(Lewisham arts strategy)

• “Community connections, reaching across place, interests and identity, are largely untapped assets that can promote wellbeing and address social exclusion”

(RSA- The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, manufactures & Commerce )

Why should SLaM support this?

The Arts Strategy will:

1. Develop SLaM’s existing collective intelligence

2. Improve patient experience

3. Reduce “revolving door care”

4. Attract incoming funding

5. Improve service user involvement

6. Further SLaM’s reputation

Example of SLaM’s involvement in theLondon Creativity & wellbeing week June 2012

• Exhibitions: Bethlem Gallery and SGDP @ IOP

• Poetry party at Ladywell Unit celebrating the project on the wards

• Training for artists @ The Albany -Jointly delivered by SLaM & Lewisham Education Arts Network (LEAN), commissioned by Lewisham Council

• Showcase of music produced by service users from Camden and SLaM, with Key Changes and Raw Sounds

• Seminar on arts in health and commissioning @ Tate

Modern: presenting SLaM arts strategy • CoolTan Arts events

SLaM's strengthsin the arts in mental health

1. Formal treatment by fully trained Arts Psychotherapists

2. Range of formal/ informal arts activities in SLaM

3. High level of community arts activities run by arts and service user providers

4. Strong links to involve service users in arts training and education

5. Motivated wide network of “activators” and engaged external partners

6. Well-established ethos & practice of service user involvement and peer support

7. Highly regarded exhibiting resources: i.e. Bethlem gallery & Museum & Archives & IOP

8. Reputation of SLaM as leader in arts & mental health

9. Charitable funds to access

SLaM's weaknessesin the arts in mental health

1. Vulnerability of arts posts/ projects within SLaM

2. Dichotomy: Service users greatly value arts whereas staff often see arts a marginal luxury

3. Intrinsic dependence of strategy on frontline staff and managers

4. High pressure on staff in time of great change

5. Personalisation changes

STRATEGIC GOAL 1 Building on strengths: Infrastructure

• Widen remit of Arts Development Manager to Trustwide

• Formalise and develop representative steering group

• Work closely with SLaM Lead Arts Therapies adviser

• Timescales and targets over 5 years

• Implement evaluation mechanisms

• Formalise budget

Examples of additional funds supported by the arts development manager*

Funds raisedCoolTan Arts, HAT (Healing Arts Team), Mental Fight Club: Dragon Cafe MHOAD & Tate Modern project Thou Art film & research Widening participation to UniversityApprox total: £652,000

Pending funding in partnershipOutreach & access to museums in EuropeImpact Art Fair in London 2013London Arts & mental health Festival 2014Approx total £268,000

* Jo Van Den Bosch coordinated The National Theatre Drama Therapy/ Warhorse project for MHOAD. £25,000 was funded by Guys & St Thomas’ Charity

STRATEGIC GOAL 2Building on strengths: SLaM’s Inner Activators

Develop motivated network of strategy activators:

• Key frontline and managerial staff

• Service users

• Peer supporters

• Champions i.e. Consultant Champion

STRATEGIC GOAL 3Building on strengths: Connectivity

Facilitate and develop links and partnerships

• Service user arts and community providers

• Arts Institutions and Colleges

• Research networks

• Charitable funds- GSTT charity is developing a new arts strategy

• Promotional strategy

• Workshops and training sessions

• Identify and visit key frontline hospital and community teams

• Provide and promote accessible online resources

STRATEGIC GOAL 4Addressing weaknesses:Raise Staff Awareness

AcknowledgementsThanks so much to all those who were consulted, and contributed incredibly to this Arts Strategy for SLaM: service users, staff, arts providers and partners.

Thanks to the tremendous dedication and passion of the steering group who co-designed and produced this Arts Strategy to reflect and harness the continuum from Arts Therapies to arts practice in SLaM and in the community.

Thanks to the artists and arts projects, for the beautiful images to illustrate this presentation, including Bethlem art studio and Art Gallery, the Thou Art film and research project, Green Shoots calendar project and the War Horse dramatherapy project with the National Theatre.

Helen Shearn, D Rosier, Vanessa Bray, Sarah Wheeler, Jo Van Den Bosch, Julia Bland, Beth Elliott, Michaela Ross et al. August 2012

A Strategy for SLaMto develop the arts in

mental health, wellbeing & recovery

Why are the arts important to SLaM?

Because they help people get well and stay well.