Creative Ageing
Equal Arts worked in partnership with South of Tyne & Wear PCT during 2011/12 to explore the effects of creative activity on people experiencing early signs of dementia, and people over 60 who are isolated and therefore at risk of developing mental health problems.
The participants came from the Bensham, Teams and Central areas of Gateshead and were referred to the project by GPs, Occupational Therapists and other health workers.
During the course of the project they significantly gained confidence in their abilities. The last three months saw them create glasswork with artist Sue Woolhouse, a mini-musical with musician Nicky Rushton and dancer-choreographer Mona McCarthy, and a film giving us the recipe for life with drama and reminiscence artist Jos Forester-Melville and film-maker Kate Sweeney.
Evaluation by the Centre for Public Policy, Northumbria University, LODEX and Mental Health Concern, found significant benefits for participants in terms of well-being. The most significant improvements were an increased sense of belonging and the quality of relationships with others. Participants had increased levels of confidence; a sense of enjoyment, happiness, and purpose; increased energy and motivation and an increased sense that they were valued. For some the changes were so profound that they began to feel differently about their lifestyles and had begun to make positive changes.
Click to download a copy of the evaluation report - Promoting Wellbeing and Combating Isolation: Arts and Dementia Pilot Project
What participants and carers said about the project:
‘This group...he looks forward to it...he’ll say oooh we’re going there tomorrow’
‘If I wasn’t here...I would just be sitting looking at the telly or looking out the window’
‘it gives everyone some interest, where they can voice their opinion’
‘I’m not a really good mixer...I always get a bit timid...but since I’ve come and met everyone, I feel fine...there’s no way I would normally sit and talk like this’
‘it uplifts ya....when you do something like this, it gives you the strength to do something else’
‘They all laugh...there is so much laughter...and I think that makes you feel so much happier’
‘they are something special that me and my mam can do together’
‘We look forward to coming cos its nice, its nice when you see the films and it takes you back and you remember things that you had more or less forgotten’,
’some of the films that we watch during the sessions, it starts a conversation...eeh I used to like there, I used to work there....and its really interesting’
