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Project Name: Online Art Therapies
Project Themes: Mental Health; Digital Design
Project Sponsor: NHS Western Isles, mPower, UHI
Duration: November 2021 – June 2022
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Description
Initially a set of TEAMS meetings were held to raise awareness and interest with Health and social care colleagues in the Third Sector.
The agreement was that invitations were sent to adults (over the age of 18) living in the Western Isles facilitated by Third Sector organisations to recruit participants who are interested in working creatively with an art therapist towards achieving personal goals and/or psychological growth.
This was agreed as best method as participants already received direct support from the Third sector agencies and have existing relationships of trust.
NHS Activity/Deliverable
NHS Western Isles R&I Team liaised with Third Sector agencies to raise awareness of the art therapy project and the criteria to support agencies to recruit participants and led on the online art therapy specification agreement and tendering process to recruit the art therapists.
Project Manager and mPower team created a referral form and agreed the process and mPower managed the onward referral process. Art therapist assessed the referrals for suitability and mPower informed the Third sector representative who then contacted the participant to set up an initial meeting with the art therapist. Third sector representative supported the person throughout the process. As well as managing the referral process Mpower Digital navigators provided practical support with set up and to resolve any technical issues.
Project Manager was responsible for providing equipment and materials needed, communicating with all parties (except participants), arranging planning meetings and recording actions, monitoring actions, setting timescales, ensuring that the project kept to the deadline and completing a guide to setting up the project activity.
Art Therapy Sessions
Art therapy was offered in a block of 8 weekly sessions (with the possibility of extension).
Participants worked with an experienced art therapist based in the Highlands and Islands who is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Participant and the art therapist connected online via a safe platform used for remote health appointments (NearMe).
Digital equipment for connecting and artmaking was provided for the duration of the therapy. A set of traditional art materials was sent to participants and they were able to choose if they would like to work with digital or traditional art media (or both).
Criteria
- Person is aged 18 and over.
- Person does not have any severe or acute mental health needs but may require mild to moderate psychological support.
- Participate has given consent for this referral and to take part in the Digital Art Therapy 8-week pilot led by UHI and NHS Western Isles.
- Participants must have access to reliable broadband access.
Evaluation
Evaluation of the pilot service was undertaken by the University of the Highlands and Islands. Taking part in evaluation was entirely voluntary and anonymous. Participants could choose to contribute in different ways – for example, by completing short online questionnaires and/or working with their art therapist on a short audio-visual summary of the experience. Staff referring to the art therapy service and art therapists themselves also took part in interviews, but did not share any information on participants. This end research helped us towards assessing the need, acceptability and feasibility of an online art therapy service for the future. View report here.
Documents
- Western Isles Online Art Therapy Pilot Service – Flyer
- PIS for Clients (Western Isles Online Art Therapy Pilot Service
- Western Isles Online Art Therapy Pilot Service – Report
NHS Western Isles Contact:
| Martin Malcolm | Marion MacInnes |
| Head of Public Health Intelligence (R&I Lead) NHS Western Isles 37 South Beach Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2BB Scotland Email: martin.malcolm2@nhs.scot Tel. 01851 7011 | Project Manager, Research & Innovation NHS Western Isles 37 South Beach Stornoway Isle of Lewis HS1 2BB Scotland Email: marion.macinnes@nhs.scot Tel. 01851 7011 |
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If you would like to find out more about taking part in art therapy and/or the research, Dr. Ania Zubala will be happy to answer any questions. Please get in touch directly via emailing: ania.zubala@uhi.ac.uk
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