Artlift Wiltshire Move On Groups Final Report

Baker, Colin ORCID: 0000-0001-8971-2829, Loughren, Elizabeth A, Ellis, Elizabeth ORCID: 0000-0001-9628-8413 and Crone, Diane ORCID: 0000-0002-8798-2929 (2017) Artlift Wiltshire Move On Groups Final Report. Project Report. University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham.

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Abstract

Introduction This report presents the findings of the Artlift Wiltshire Move on Groups (MoG) evaluation conducted by the University of Gloucestershire between March 2016 and March 2017. The evaluation establishes evidence concerning the role and impact of the MoGs for patients who have ended participation in Artlift and who participate in independent, ongoing, regular art activities. Evaluation aims Aim 1: To gain a greater understanding of the sustainability of health and well-being for those patients previously involved with the Artlift programme; Aim 2: To acquire insight from former Artlift participants who have set up their own art practices and are operating independently in the community. Methods The evaluation comprised a mixed methods approach which incorporated a quantitative and qualitative component. The involved focus groups with participants conducted in situ at the location at which the art activities took place (total participants n = 15). A parallel quantitative component assessed participant wellbeing using a standardised wellbeing questionnaire with the same participants via the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) to investigate the impact of participation in art activities. Findings The qualitative data suggested that participants experienced a number of psycho-social outcomes as a consequence of participating in MoGs which were felt across a number of areas. These were not equal for all, and were important in different ways and for different reasons but compelled participants to keep attending the sessions and to find ways of sustaining them. These overlapping aspects helped develop a greater sense of happiness, independence and confidence. Participant proactivity, the support of Artlift artists, fundraising and organisational abilities were crucial to the successful creation and sustainability of MoGs. Participants shared a strong desire to continue art activities within a group setting. Maintaining social ties, friendships, the therapeutic effects of the activities and a compulsion to fill the void left by Artlift were key drivers of efforts to establish MoGs. These aspects underpinned the creation of vibrant, sociable and integrated MoGs. The quantitative data indicated that the MoGs helped participants maintain wellbeing over time. A WEMWBS score is considered meaningful where there is a 3 to 8 points difference between pre and post time points. In this instance there was a meaningful difference between: i. the initial (i.e. first) Artlift programme pre and post score (an increase of 3.9); ii. the re-referral pre and post Artlift score (an increase of 4.5); iii. the initial pre Artlift programme score and long term follow up score taken at the MoGs data collection visits (an increase of 4.6). Recommendations Recommendation 1: The role of Artlift MoGs should be promoted as a means of supporting previously referred participants to maintain wellbeing over time. The process of joining MoGs should be explored further to avoid issues of exclusivity, selection bias, and barriers that prevent access. Recommendation 2: Artlift MoGs could be explored as a potential referral activity for practitioners engaged in social prescribing. The social fabric of the MoGs provides both an opportunity and a threat to new participants who have not previously shared the Artlift journey. As such, activities should be undertaken to understand if and how MoGs can be integrated into the wider social prescribing offer so as to both preserve and further enhance the role of MoGs. Recommendation 3: The MoGs provided a potentially cost effective means of supporting mental health but funding and resources are key challenges to the setting up of MoGs and their long term sustainability. The role of Artlift and its relationship with MoGs should be explored as part of a wider conversation to establish best practice in MoGs with respect to funding and support. Considering local contextual factors it is likely that different operating models will be needed in different MoG areas. Recommendation 4: The role of the Artlift brand and its relationship with MoGs should be further explored in order to: (1) identify sources of reputational risk; (2) maximise awareness and credibility of the Artlift brand with respect to the benefits it offers participants. Recommendation 5: Assessments should be made to ensure that all participants continue to derive benefits from the art activities in order to ensure that the activities are appropriate and satisfactory, and that male and female participants’ needs and preferences are taken into account. Factors relating to the underrepresentation of certain groups (e.g. BME populations), as well as the potential to address those with specific needs (e.g. new mothers experiencing poor mental health) should be explored to maximise the potential of MoGs to a broad range of participants.

Item Type:	Monograph (Project Report)
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Health and Social Care
Research Priority Areas:	Health, Life Sciences, Sport and Wellbeing
Depositing User:	Colin Baker
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2017 10:13
Last Modified:	27 Jul 2023 14:49
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/4521

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