Art at the Heart of the RUH Oncology Drop-In Art Workshops

Artist: Charlotte Stowell Workshop day of week: Thursday Time: 10am - 1pm Duration: June - July 2014No. of sessions: 8Location: Oncology Waiting Area

Pilot

Illustrator Charlotte Stowell has a background and experience of working in the publishing and craft industry, which provides a strong foundation for running creative workshops in different settings. She has led projects for hospital arts programmes, community arts, charities, care homes and schools, and has experience of working with a variety of ages and abilities.

NHS ExperienceHer recent work includes workshops and projectsfor The Royal United Hospital Bath, Cheltenham Hospital, Bristol Children’s Hospital, Southampton General Hospital and North Bristol NHS.

How it came about...Art at the Heart was first approached by Charlotte Stowell, who had recently completed a series of successful art workshops at Cheltenham General Hospital, and was keen to trial them at the RUH. Art at the Heart approached Dr Susana Mancero, with the intention of running a series of art workshops in the Oncology Waiting Room, with the idea it would provide a positive distraction and be of interest to oncology patients, visitors and carers.

A flexible schedule of art workshops was prepared by artist Charlotte Stowell, and the workshops commenced over the course of June and July this year.

Background

1.1

“I think it’s a magic idea”

Patient

Oncology Drop-in Workshop Break-down

Cost per workshop, including materials: £125Art at the Heart Management Fee: £250Average No. of participants: 9 Average No. of observers: 7

Value per head:£14.00 (Over an 8 week period, based on 'active' participants)

MaterialsCharlotte uses a variety of creative techniquesand has a particular interest in polymer clay. Polymer clay is a wonderfully colourful and tactile material to use and it has proved to be successful and enjoyable in workshop settings. It lends itself to making models, relief work and other decorative pieces.

The choice of materials played a significant part within the workshops, and Charlotte was keen to provide a range of materials that allowed patients and visitors the opportunity to create something simple, yet effective in a short space of time.

Overview

1.2

Week No. ofparticipants

Returning

12345678

78977688

60

01233211

13

Observers

456671087

53Total:

Grand total: 126

Total: 126, over 8 sessions

On average 9 active participants per workshop, and at least 7 patients came over to look and talk about the workshops, per session.

Top 5 materials from the workshops

1. Polymer clay2. Decoupage 3. Paint pebbles4. Tin design5. Papercraft

“I interacted with my patients in a completely different way today...They seemed a lot happier and calmer when they came in to see me”

Janine Green, Phlebotomist - spent time in the session with the group between seeing patients

FeedbackThe workshops received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from patients, visitors and staff. The common themes we found were:

• Patients began to look forward to their next visit • It provided a positive distraction, and noticeably relaxed patients waiting for their appointment • It provides group support as well as being a creative outlet• Patients and their carers left with a sense of achivement

Observations • Some patients said they would like to come regularly even if they don't have an appointment on a Thursday morning.• Some patients have booked appointments to coincide with the art sessions• 2 patients both with carers came in specifically for a session, they said they found it relaxing and enjoyable.• Some patients benefit from taking part in this type of group activity on a regular basis if they are in recovery or they are mid-way through treatment.

There was plenty of support and enthusiasm from staff too, who were keen to stop by and have a look if they couldn't at the time take part. They were very proactive about the workshops and offered to let patients know when the next session was taking place.

Observations & Feedback

1.3

“Unexpected joy today!” Carer waiting with a patient

“I wasn’t looking forward to my next visit but now I’m really looking forward to coming next week” Patient

“It’s very therapeutic and it was really good to speak to people, I enjoyed being in the group.” Comment from a patient who had made frequent visits to the department for treatment but until today hadn’t spoken to anyone other than staff

“It gave us something to talk about” From a carer with a patient

“Doing something creative is really useful, I can’t concentrate on reading while I’m waiting” Patient

“My friend is bringing me next week, she will love this too” Patient

“It’s stressful looking after someone, we need some respite too and I enjoyed making things” Carer

“I had a lovely wait in Oncology today, normally I’d try and read when waiting for medical appointments, but often end up re-reading the same page and getting distracted! Today I made a decoupage bird and had a lovely chatter with other patients. Thank you Charlotte for making my hospital visit more enjoyable” (Mary)

“Thank you for the art workshop. I have found Charlotte and her service to be great fun, approachable and very diverting at a difficult and often boring time. Knowing I can come back on subsequent weeks and try new things and build on what I have achieved so far is fabulous” (Jeanette)

“It’s a good thing to get patients involved in something while they’re waiting, it helps takes their mind off worrying about how their appointment will go”(Volunteer)

“There’s lots to do, it would be a good way to make decorations for Christmas”(Volunteer)

Quotes

1.4

“It’s a good idea and I talked to more people this week” Patient

“I’m really pleased with what I’ve made today” Patient

“ I can’t stay this week but will be back in 2 weeks on 24th for an appointment so will definitely join in then” Patient

Even if you can’t take part, it’s so interesting to watch and I’ve really enjoyed watching people make things” Disabled patient, with her carer who actively took part

“It’s really relaxing and I like that it comes out differently every time”Francesa Hutton, aged 11

“I bet this makes a big difference to the patients” Lynda Hutton – Oncology hairdresser

“It’s really cool, I’ve made something for my 3 year old daughter Chloe, I never do things like this. I’ve really enjoyed myself”. Sylvester Klos, carer

“I’m the patient but I’d really like to bring my daughter next time, she’s 13 and suffers with agoraphobia, she doesn’t go to school at the moment. Seeing her enjoying something like this would really help me. I’ll show her what I’ve made today, I’m sure she would like to come”.(Patient - explaining how it’s difficult going through her cancer treatment and also be caring for her daughter with an anxiety disorder).

“Charlotte, art and design is a good idea to distract you from medical appointments and waiting. It can sometimes be long. I hope this will keep up for other patients”. Linda Dorris (patient)

“She (the patient) seems much more relaxed today as this is here. I don’t think she’s had time to be worried, she is really enjoying this.It seems quite unusual. You don’t expect to see this kind of thing in a hospital”.(Partner of the patient)

“My daughter has a much more positive view of the hospital now”(Member of staff, her daughter came to the Week 6 session on the day of the teacher’s strike)

Quotes

1.4

Photo Gallery

1.5

“Anna was really proud of what she had made. She loved coming here. It is very worthwhile for the patients who take part” (Bereaved relative)

This patient had come in 5 times to make things for her family and friends. She was very creative and put a lot of thought and energy into her work.

If there are any further sessions the project may be able to include:

• More consultation with staff to identify patients or families who would benefit from this type of activity and plan how to do this• Staff participation in sessions• Sessions during school holidays when patients may have children with them• To trial sessions on different days of the week, engaging new audiences, such as male patients

Cancer Care CentreFeedback from this project could be presented as useful evidence for the value of participatory arts for the new Cancer Care Centre.

Future Sessions & Developments

1.6

“Working on this project clearly showed how effective the RUH arts programme is in supporting artists working in a hospital setting.

Art at the Heart initiated the introductory meeting with the RUH Oncology department to get this project underway and they have continued to support the workshops on a weekly basis.

On a personal level, I found the whole project to be a very positive experience. It was extremely enjoyable and rewarding to see the patients using these sessions to produce creative work.

As well as Art at the Heart, Dr Mancero was key to this project taking place in Oncology and I'm so grateful she felt it was something worth trying. It was encouraging to get such a good response from the doctor's session I did at the end of Week 8”. Charlotte Stowell

Proposed Budget2014/15

£12,600

£2,400

Total: £15,000

Workshop Facilitator (2 days per week)

Art at the Heart management costs, including promotion and project evaluation

£

Estimated reach (patients, visitors and staff)

1,350

Art at the Heart of the RUH

Estates and Facilities Directorate Royal United Hospital NHS TrustCombe Park Bath BA1 3NG Tel: 01225 82 [4987]hetty.dupays@nhs.net www.ruh.nhs.uk/art