Loose ends final report

Loose Ends Evaluation Report

May 2014

Loose Ends Evaluation Report

Contents

Page 2 Project Report Page 12 Case Studies Page 17 Statistical Information

Loose Ends The Loose Ends project was generated out of an initial idea by Headway Arts to deliver a potential creative writing or performance project, incorporating a lasting record and a final awareness raising event.

An initial meeting with Women’s Health Advice Centre (WHAC) in July 2012 was followed by further meetings, with the addition of the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust as a partner, two taster workshops and the submission of a (successful) funding bid to the Big Lottery to run the project ‘Loose Ends’.

The ‘Loose Ends’ project aim:  A creative visual art project led by mental health service users involving a range of different techniques and developing themes occurring naturally from the sessions and participants, with a final exhibition of work in Spring 2014 The ‘Loose Ends’ project objectives  People trying something new  Exploring art with no experience necessary - drawing, acrylic painting, pastels, textile work (felting, sewing, silk painting) craft (origami) writing (poetry including haiku) and photography  Improving wellbeing with a positive effect on mental health  Breaking down barriers (perceptions of mental health and people with mental health issues) and improving engagement  Having fun and meeting people  Progression - stepping stones to other engagement e.g. joining a group, taking a course, etc.

Key outcomes:       

Improved confidence and self esteem Better motivated to access further training and support in the community People feeling better about themselves Enhanced life skills and confidence Enhanced self esteem through ‘taking part’ Being more active in their community Through a final exhibition the project should improve public perceptions of mental health issues by bringing people together, encouraging dialogue and creating positive images of mental health within public settings

The sessions would be facilitated by an artist from Headway Arts, the sessions would be run at Ashmore House, a day centre in Ashington for service users of the Trust, as a central venue with a potential source of project participants.

WHAC (based in Ashington) were involved as an organisation supporting positive mental health and wellbeing for both women and men, promoted and supported the work of the project through session facilitation support, evaluation and signposting.

The project was promoted through the network of contacts and service users of each organisation, and as part of the WHAC education programme, promoted in local press. Care managers were encouraged to support Trust clients to access the project.

The sessions would run on a drop in basis, allowing people to attend as and when they felt well enough, taking into account the circumstances around individuals’ mental health. Access to the project was made as easy as possible, and included participants who needed to bring their support workers with them to the sessions.

“I like the freedom, being able to express yourself, and the company. It’s relaxed and you don’t have to stick to rigid times” “You can come or not and you don’t get wrong!”

An enrolment form was devised for participants to complete, however interim feedback from participants indicated that some people found the questions on the enrolment form actually put them off participating, they felt uncomfortable disclosing information about their employment status, for example.

As a measure to reduce barriers to participation and to be as inclusive as possible it was agreed that people could attend sessions as ‘tasters’ and fill forms in at a later date.

The weekly two and a half hour sessions ran from 30th September 2013 through to April2014 for a total of 23 sessions. There were a total of 18 enrolment forms completed and attendance fluctuated between 6 and 10 participants each session.

The first session introduced participants to the project and the artist/facilitator and took the theme of Autumn as a starting point. The artist encouraged participants to ‘have a go’ with a basic techniques (‘taking a line for a walk’) and progress onto using different media (paint, pastels, collage).

Some participants had not done artwork since their school days and the anecdotal feedback recorded during the sessions indicates some had had negative experiences of doing art at school which were still apparent years later.

“It’s very interesting. I’m not very arty but here the confidence that you’re given helps, because at the beginning I didn’t like that everyone could see what I was doing...”

“I was told I was rubbish at art at school, but here it’s less about being able to draw it’s more about being creative” Each session the participants were offered the opportunity and encouraged to try new and differing art techniques, or to continue with the work from previous sessions, whichever they felt most happy doing. The majority of participants chose to try new forms of art, often for the first time.

“I’ve really enjoyed today. I’ve never done felting before and I found it easy to pick up, and interesting.

I’m definitely pleased with what I’ve done” “I love doing this. Nice being out with people and doing different art techniques. The time is perfect. I feel I have got something to really look forward to” As the sessions progressed the participants would talk and listen to each other about things in their lives and offer support and encouragement to each other in

their art work. The consistent attendees formed a very strong group, able to give constructive feedback and discuss their opinions on a wide range of local issues and even national news.

“This art session had the most communication. We all give each other feedback, it has been excellent, not only the tutor but also the others in the group. We boost each other up – Allie is a fantastic teacher and facilitator, tried to give everybody attention. She doesn’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do” “I really enjoyed the company here and I feel better when I leave. I’ve loved the company, the art, the feedback” One of the group ‘bumped into’ another participant in the town during the week and asked if they would like to go for a coffee and a chat, which they did. I am aware from the other person that this is something that has been missing in their life, ‘someone to just go for a coffee with’, and this had happened naturally as a result of the friendly and social aspect of the project’s sessions.

“I really enjoyed it. It makes me get out of bed, I feel alright here as all the girls are so friendly” “I feel really relaxed, better. It’s the first time in ages I’ve felt ok among people, y’know. It’s nice to do what you like, no pressure” “This is something I really look forward to coming to. It’s relaxing time. You can talk if you want to, or you can be quiet and get into it, however you’re feeling” Much of the positive feedback from participants was around the artist/facilitator, with particular emphasis on the her skills in art and the regular critical and constructive feedback that she offered the group’s participants. The participants appreciated the class as having an ‘art’ basis and were committed to this approach.

“I thought I’d give it a try. I’m really impressed we have Allie. I feel I need the feedback, and the company, it helps” “I’ve been to art groups in the past and to be honest this one is the best” “This art session had the most communication. We all give each other feedback, it has been excellent, not only the tutor but also the others in the group. We boost each other up – Allie is a fantastic teacher and facilitator, tried to give everybody attention. She doesn’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do” “The teacher’s alreet!”

The project facilitators were aware that many of the participants had overcome significant barriers to actually attend the sessions as a first step, and for them to also engage in the art activities was seen as very positive. During a review meeting of the partner organisations, part way through the project, the issue of mental health increasing barriers to participation was discussed, for example, some service users may feel they don’t deserve to experience pleasure and happiness. This was illustrated in the following comments:

“....I’d rather be doing something for someone else than for me.

It (my health) made me feel I was no use to nobody. Still

struggling a bit with the idea of doing something just for me. I need noise around me” “I was good at art, but I kind of lost it, and then I feel as it’s just for me I struggle with not doing stuff for other people” Many of the participants talked about how taking part in the art sessions had made them feel. When asked what impact the sessions were having on their wellbeing they described the sessions as a distraction from their mental health issues and being something to look forward to. The project wanted to have a positive impact on health and wellbeing and it appears to have given participants a sense of purpose and a mechanism to help them cope with their health issues, supporting their own wellbeing.

“It’s distracted me from feelings, so I’m not dwelling on things as much. Feel better for coming here, gives you something to look forward to” “Broken up the loneliness I’ve got at the moment” “I feel I have got something to really look forward to” “Having a connection” “Something to get up for in the morning” “I’ve kept me mind right going to these classes” “Things going on that’s confusing so this is a distraction – it’s still there but it’s to one side” “A rainbow with a touch of darkness, which is a bit like my mind” “I’m more like myself again. On a Sunday I look forward to coming on a Monday” The group consisted of participants with a wide range of differing abilities, experience and creative preferences, as well as varying mental health levels.

However, the dynamic of the group was supportive, encouraging, open and nonjudgemental and developed in a very natural and organic way, new participants being made welcome despite the group being well established.

“It seems really good, different people with their own ideas, meeting new people....”

Some participants initially held a negative perception of Ashmore House as somewhere they wouldn’t normally want to go, as it is associated with mental health and there can be a stigma attached to this.

“Ashmore House, there’s a stigma, if people see the work they’ll jump to conclusions” “I didn’t know what Ashmore House was” “I look forward to coming. I was a bit put off by the venue as it’s for mental health but I really look forward to coming” However, the group showed some confidence that their exhibition work would challenge perceptions and raise awareness of mental health. .

“There’s been some mental health stuff on T.V., good to raise awareness, must be for the better”

The participants led the selection process for the exhibition, discussing and shortlisting the various art work pieces for final selection. The group ensured there was a range of techniques and also that every participant was represented through at least one piece of their work. Those who expressed an interest in helping prepare for the exhibition travelled to Headway Arts in Blyth to help with framing and mounting the art work for the exhibition display.

The exhibition would be taking place at Ashington Library from Monday 10 th March to Friday 21st and there would be additional information for people to signpost them to services and supporting organisations. In addition the library staff had tied in a display of mental health and wellbeing ‘Books on Prescription’.

The participants attended the launch and were delighted and proud to see their work on display and talk to people using the library about the work. The exhibition would also be displayed at Headway ArtSpace in Blyth during April,

and as part of their Annual General Meeting, and then the display will be at ASDA supermarket in Ashington on Friday 25th April. Later in 2014 there may be an opportunity to display the exhibition with the support of the ‘bait’ arts project at Woodhorn Colliery Museum and explore potential pop-up exhibitions in through the support of the Ashington Town Team, the Ashington Development Trust and in hospitals through the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Moving on from Loose Ends, the participants expressed a desire to continue with art based sessions, in some kind of format, as the experience had been such a positive one. They were made aware of the current classes in the area, but wanted to be able to continue with similar sessions in the same geographical area. The main advantages appeared to be the location, session time, the dropin approach and the fact that sessions were free made them very accessible.

“Prefer coming back here, know the players and feel comfortable” Much needed, ‘cos it will be sad to finish this one” “Feel comfortable ‘cos I know some of the people” “I love doing this....the time of day is perfect... I feel I have got something to really look forward to” The group participants wanted to keep in touch with each other and celebrate the project and their success. One person stated that “the course was a community in itself”.

“End of project party!”

“Would be nice if we could meet up” Two of the participants volunteered to take part in an Education Focus Group at WHAC and be part of influencing its education programme, as well as taking an interest in attending other courses. One has gone on to become a volunteer with a local project (Wansbeck Food Bank) and another attends creative writing workshops.

“I would like another course – cooking on a budget at Ashington” The main concern of the participants who attended the sessions is the worry that when everything ends they will go back to feeling how they felt before the course and they didn’t want to lose the positives from being part of the project.

“I feel like I’ll go back into a lull again if this doesn’t continue and I’ll have nothing to do”

In Summary, the project appears to have successfully met its objectives and a number of additional outcomes have also emerged. Initially we thought that participants would seek to move on to further courses in the community and to continue their personal recovery and development in this way. However, there is clearly a great deal of interest from a core group of 6 or 7 participants to establish their own Art Group. This is a welcome development as it shows that participants now feel confident enough to undertake this enterprise albeit with the support of an artist, and that the group have developed the much needed friendships to want to continue working together. Consequently further support will be sought to enable participants to establish such a group.

Case studies Case studies were carried out as part of the project evaluation, some participants chose to tell their story as a poem or creative writing and these are included here.

Case Study MW MW was a consistent attendee at the Loose Ends project, from the very first session onwards.

Before I came to the project I was doing artwork at home, not attending any classes. I felt a bit low, because I really wanted a class but they were out of my reach, travelling wise. There were a lot of classes that didn’t keep the people.

My support worker brought the leaflet and I attended Ashmore House many years ago, it was ok but I wasn’t impressed, but I was told that it had much improved, so I just thought I’d give it a try.

I thought the teachers and staff were very friendly, the first session when we did the thing with gift wrap and that, I did think it might have been a bit patronising, that was my thought, mind. I thought they think that because we suffered some kind of mental health that they might think we’re a bit simple, and I thought the gift wrap thing was a bit simple. But after that when I attended, after the second session I thought well, it’s not like that at all, cos she was introducing wer (us), that Allie, to various things, I mean like silk painting and things like that and I thought ‘this is going to be really interesting’.

I am being honest, no disrespect, this was just my impression from the firsts session and the second session it just got better. It could have just been my thoughts.

I came every week, I really thought the teacher was very thorough the way she introduced us to different media, and I did like the company but I just sensed that this teacher wasn’t, whey, what’s the word, ‘messing about’ she was just

really introducing wer (us) to what I believe to be true art. That’s the way I felt.

It’s not just something to pass the time. I am just putting it in my language.

I think the class has had a positive effect on my mental health cos I really had something to look forward to and I started to enjoy it, and actually I was hoping that it would go on a bit longer. I can honestly say I enjoyed it, it wasn’t a bit like I thought cos I’ve been to classes in the past and I did feel, I’m using this word again, that they were a bit patronising. But this one, no, I really felt it was true art.

I would definitely like to see it carry on, either the same way or I am prepared to try anything different, I always look ahead, I always want to express myself that little bit more. Yes, it is definitely about being able to express myself.

I used to do a little bit of art at home, some days I felt ‘what’s the point’ as there’s nobody to share it with, there’s nobody to comment, to give a bit of feedback, but after I attended it, whey a good example is when I didn’t do that crane thing, I came back home and I painted a one, as I felt I was inspired to do that, and that made me feel much better that I had something, like for example, homework – I wasn’t forced to do it but I felt that I wanted to do it, that made me feel much better.

I am not saying it was brilliant, what I did, but I was

inspired to do it, and that’s more like what I was looking for cos I asked Alison if I could have some homework, because before that I felt I didn’t have the incentive to do anything at home. Like I said, once I attended there, I felt I had an incentive and was inspired to do something.

I felt I got on with them all in the class and they were friendly people, I don’t think I was judged, no, I didn’t feel judged at all.

I felt supported and I was

supportive of other people’s work, there was one or two in the class who were chatting about their work and my work. I sensed that the ones who were more into writing enjoyed the time that they did come, I’m not sure if that’s what they were looking for. It’s a shame one or two stopped coming, but everyone’s got different lives, different views and they’ve got different problems.

I bumped into CMH (part of the group) in the street and asked her ‘do you want a coffee?’, she said ‘I haven’t got time’, and then the next thing she said was ‘haway come on then’ so it was just a friendly gesture, that’s all it was, whether

it worked or not I don’t know, it was just a friendly gesture. In fact if I had seen anybody else from the class I would have done exactly the same for them, or anyone that had attended Ashmore, I would have done the same thing, in my mind it was just a friendly gesture, getting to know people. It was a way of just being friendly, it was the way I was hoping to get a friend.

I would like it to progress, either this class or at least the same teacher, I do really think she what I was looking for in the way of teaching. So I would like either Ashmore or a connection with it, the same sort of thing, if you understand what I mean. I would like it to continue.

I think it has made quite a difference to my life because I’m thinking ‘whey I went there’, and maybes in the past I wouldn’t have gone, cos I wasn’t sure what to expect and I really enjoyed it, in fact I’ve told people that I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve never done that.

Comments from one Loose Ends participant whose attendance at the sessions was interrupted due to health reasons: “I felt on my own. I haven’t really had my family support, I had nobody to help and I couldn’t stop it. I was feeling on my own. Courses support me so much.

I remembered how much I enjoyed it and how much I loved coming, how disappointed I had to stop.

I told my sister about the class and I hoped to be here. Our relationship is a bit hit and miss-y. I’m very glad to come back. The classes are a lifeline, ‘cos you look forward to them and they give you purpose”.

My story 1 I heard about it from my sister. I thought I’d go with her then I bumped into **** and we started talking about art and she said come and walk over with me. I felt more comfortable coming over with somebody, I don’t know whether I’d come on my own.

I used to like art and I stopped because I didn’t have time and I lost interest.

First impressions, it was nice to be able to talk and introduce yourself first – although the origami crane was a bit challenging, but didn’t put me off.

I would like to find out what I like doing best if that’s possible. I was good at art at school, but haven’t had time, so it’s been 50 years.

I’m not a good mixer at first, but I’m trying. I think this group will help.

This (silk painting) started out as an apple but wasn’t working so I’ve done this (poppies) instead.

I’m suffering from depression at the moment, it’s been off and on for 15 years.

I didn’t know about Ashmore House – Doctors put us on medication, isn’t really helping, so this is better than sitting at home on my own, better in a group than one on one.

My story 2 I come to Ashmore, saw it advertised.

I came early on but I got taken into

hospital. Been moved temporarily for 4 weeks, I’m not happy. I will carry on coming even when I move back. I’m on my own, I live on my own.

I go to the art class at Ashmore; I walked out of the pottery class because of the way she (tutor) spoke to us. I won’t go back. She treat (sic) me like a 2 year old in front of the whole class. I know I’ve got mental health issues but I still want to be treat (sic) like a human being.

This group is different, I feel relaxed. I was chewed up at first, because of the move.

I didn’t do any art before going to another painting group about 3 or 4 months ago. I used to do a lot of card making but lost interest after I became ill 2 or 3 years ago.

I wish there was something in the afternoon to do, as after class and lunch I have to leave.

I went on the bus to Newcastle and sat in Northumberland Street. I felt I could see everyone and no one could see me. I felt invisible.

I just want to be loved and someone to care.

This is the first time I’ve mentioned this to anyone.

Mrs Pastry (A Poem) There was a lady called Mary, not attracted to dairy.

The love of her eye, was a blooming pie! Blimey, that sounds scary.

As she starts painting, she’s squinting around, looking for her glasses – not to be found.

Oh dear what a fuss, Mary’s frustrated started to cuss.

Mary, you’re a plonker your glasses are near. Where? Says Mary with a glare.

Above your ears, on top of your head I said with a stare.

Everyone in class is different, Mary has a big heart, Monica likes to get stuck in, Tracy neat and clever.

As for the 2 As we could tell you things but we won’t : EVER. The ending of this little tale! Everyone in class is different as could be. We all get along, nice to chat and laugh you see.

Who are what makes the place so convivial, relaxes us all to chat and draw.

Amanda, cool, calm, organised and witty, Allie: talented, versatile, good teacher is she.

All round good eggs the pair of them, makes a class happy as could be!

Statistical Information Evaluation was carried out with 8 participants to assess their sense of well-being at the beginning of the project, after 6 sessions and after 23 sessions at the end of the project and represented here as a bar chart and statistical table. There is clearly a marked increase across all well-being measures.

5.00 4.00

Session 1 Session 6

3.00

2.00 1.00 0.00

Participants Evaluation Results based on responses from 8 participants after 23 sessions

Number of enrolments - 18 Number of evaluations completed - 8 1 Mental health 2 Being mentally active 3 Feeling positive 4 Well being 5 Physical health 6 Joining new groups or activities 7 Enjoying life 8 Self confidence 9 Feeling part of your community 10 Self care 11 Socialising End of project 1 Mental health 2 Being mentally active 3 Feeling positive 4 Well being 5 Physical health 6 Joining new groups or activities 7 Enjoying life 8 Self confidence 9 Feeling part of your community 10 Self care 11 Socialising

Very poor 25% 25% 63% 25% 25% 25% 38% 13% 63% 13% 38%

Poor

Average 25% 50% 25% 50% 25% 38% 63% 38% 25% 25% 25%

13% 13% 13% 13% 25% 13% 25% 13%

13% 13% 13% 13%

Good 50% 13% 13% 25% 38% 38%

Very good

13%

13%

50% 50% 25%

13% 13% 13%

25% 25% 13% 38% 50% 38% 13% 13% 25% 63% 13%

25% 25% 63% 38% 13% 38% 38% 63% 25% 38% 50%

38% 38% 13% 13% 13% 13% 25% 13% 13% 25%