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Sharing the evaluation of an arts based memory

club

Arts Development UK Conference - 29 Nov 2013

Hannah CervenkaArts & Leisure Development

ManagerWest Oxfordshire District

Council

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Local Context

• Rural area• Ageing population• Closure of local memory cafe• Low diagnosis rates• Experienced and skilled artists• Professional arts organisation in the

town

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Dementia in West Oxfordshire• WODC has one of the largest populations of

older people in the county

• Prevalence levels of dementia are high

• Overarching aim of national and local strategy is for people with dementia to ‘live well’.

• Local dementia plan aims to facilitate early diagnosis and to support individuals and carers in their own home.

• A major need for people with dementia is meaningful occupation and engagement during the day + respite for carers

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Project summary• Lights Up offers

– A meeting place to relax and socialise– Information about dementia and services & support– Opportunities to explore and learn new skills– Opportunities to work individually and as a group making and experiencing art.

• Positive name is an explicit attempt to address stigma • 6 month evaluation of project: 2 meetings a month; and continuing• Range of creative arts offered e.g. music, visual arts, film, dance,

drama• People with dementia come with carers & attend by themselves• Club led by experienced co-ordinator and members supported by

volunteers• Experienced professional artists lead creative sessions• Lights Up supported by a partnership steering group• Pilot funded by district council, registered social landlord and

national charity supporting people living with dementia

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Members of Lights Up handle a didgeridoo

Music session run by Arne Richards

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Project evaluation• Evaluation was led by Creative Dementia

Arts Network based in Oxford• Mainly qualitative methods - including

photographs and video• Structured observation• Individual interviews of members• Focus groups of volunteers• Artists survey and feedback• Measures of well being

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General findings• Lights Up successfully facilitated:

– Participation in the arts– Social engagement– Learning new skills

• Artist led sessions offered activities that– Engaged and stimulated participants– Provided creative opportunities

• Lights Up is a low cost model of community based arts engagement

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Outcomes

• Attendance increased over the pilot period

• Most people with dementia came with a carer/spouse/partner

• Volunteer numbers varied• Diverse level of cognitive

impairment• Attendance was voluntary & informal

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Lights Up club members warming up in a circle

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What we found out

• The importance of consistency• Lights Up offered a meeting place to

relax & socialise• Arts sessions helped to:

– Reduce tension & agitation– Break down barriers– Act as ‘social glue’– Raise self-esteem

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Members of the Lights Up group enjoying the opportunity for conversation

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How did we do it?• High calibre artists• Range of artforms• Cpd opportunities• Inclusive sessions• Powerful effect of objects• Space for reminiscence• Individual & group participation• Exploring self expression• Learning new skills

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Members of Lights Up concentrating on felting activities

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Why it needs to be an arts based memory club• Flexible approach that artists offer• Capacity for reciprocal learning • No assumptions made• Meeting some deep human needs• Positive engagement

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Our learning and what next?

• Experiment with new and different arts media

• Develop links to other cultural organisations

• Explore different ways to work • Reach those living alone• Create a sustainable model• Take the model to other areas

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Further information & useful websites

•www.creativedementia.org•www.ageofcreativity.co.uk•hannah.cervenka@westoxon.gov.uk

Thank you