Free Space Project and Entelechy Arts, in Camden and Lewisham respectively, deliver arts and cultural activities that improve the health and wellbeing of their local communities.
Both organisations are involved with social prescribing – sometimes referred to as community referral. This is about helping people find ways to improve their health and wellbeing by linking them up with what’s going on in their local area.
What is Cultural Social Prescribing?
For Eva, an older woman living in Camden, a social prescription introduced her to the joy of moving her body. Diagnosed with Parkinsons, her local doctor suggested she join a specialised dance and movement class. In the studio, and now in her own home via video link, Eva has discovered that participation in a weekly activity makes her feel good and helps her connect with others.
Joan and Ochuko are older women living in Lewisham who joined a Creative Ageing group run by Entelechy Arts and the Albany Theatre. For them, a social prescription is a trip they took to Southbank Centre to sing in a chorus. It’s the radio programme they contribute to since COVID-19 rocked their world. It’s the feeling of being part of a big family, with people that keep in touch and check in on you.
What did we learn?
We wanted to hear more about the brilliant work these organisations do. So, in October 2020, we brought them together with their participants and partners, to share ideas and discuss how the arts and health sectors can work together to support creative or cultural social prescribing in the future.
1. Digital working presents both opportunities and challenges
NHS and social care staff have had to quickly adapt to radically new ways of working, including remote and virtual consultations. This has simplified processes and expanded access for some but made it worse for some already vulnerable groups of people that are not digitally connected.
2. Meaningful relationships are key
Both organisations have built strong relationships over many years, and this has enabled them to provide meaningful support to people. At the heart of their offer is space for meaningful connections - the chance to meet others that are ‘like me’ and ‘different from me’ and who they can turn to in times of need.
3. Contact is crucial, however it is made
When the pandemic hit it was important to maintain the intimacy between people, so new ways of interacting were agreed – phone calls, doorstep conversations, at-home art challenges, even group radio shows. These provided powerful connections for those who were otherwise very isolated.
4. One to one contact is essential but unsustainable; more support is needed
Older and vulnerable people need, and benefit from, one-to-one support but this requires a lot of human and financial resources. Creative practitioners need more training and tools so they can adapt their activities to meet the needs of individuals. Similarly, medical professionals need support to fully understand what cultural activity is on offer.
5. There is more to explore!
How can we build on the expertise of Free Space Project and Entelechy Arts so that more older people can contribute to our communities?
How can we share good practice across London and increase the number of cultural organisations involved with social prescribing?
Further reading and resources:
- Let’s Create - this is Arts Council England’s 2020-2030 strategy; one of the three outcomes is called ‘Cultural Communities’ which commits to exploring the potential of social prescribing and building deeper relationships with the NHS, health and social care providers. Find out more.
- Thriving Communities Fund – a new fund from offering grants of up to £50,000 to bring together local partnerships across culture, sport, nature, health and community to address the wellbeing needs of those most affected by COVID-19. Find out more.
Illustrations by Merlin Strangeway @DrawntoMedicine.