Visitor Studies conference

1. Visitor Studies conference Presentation by Claire Benjamin Head of Communities, NML October 2010

3. NML’s Social responsibility • NML operates in a city which is the most deprived in the UK • Employment rates, local educational attainment and skills levels well below nationalaverage • Local people at risk of suffering from social tensions, lack of social cohesion, anti social-behaviour, loss of confidence and aspiration • Adults in Liverpool significantly more likely to have a low level of mental health and well being (30.2% - Northwest well being survey) Federation of International Human Rights Museums - September 2010

4. How can museums provide a local response to improving wellbeing in communities and achieve sustainable partnerships? Critical question

5. Connect with Neighbourhood Area Action plans Connect with grassroots community events – listen then act Identify key partners i.e. PCT, community health, adult learning provision, community/voluntary groups Local audience development and outreach explicit in museum strategic planning Local priorities

6. To be independent and have something to do To participate in activities that encourage healthy living and wellbeing To have a choice in what they do Health and Older people

7. What is social prescribing? How can museums support this approach? Critical question

8. Access to leisure Access to a creative opportunity Letting people know what is out there Increase take up of socially engaging activity Connect communities with services, opportunities and experiences Remember . . . Museums and galleries are a community asset . . . A non medical intervention

9. To support positive health and well being of project participants (over 50s, male, BME) To capture the potential for creativity in people who have mental illness through cultural activity. To inform and educate the heath sector of the benefits to mental health of creative cultural engagement. To explore and evidence how museums can have a social impact on people’s well being and health. Case Study: Liverpool Primary Care Trust - Gateways to Active LivingProject Aims

10. What is the social impact of the project? What is the evidence to support this? Are museums well placed to support the improvement of feelings of well being for participants? What skills have been developed through the project? Should we be doing more of this work? To what degree do partner agencies value their work with the museum? Has there been a measurable increase in participants motivation and self esteem? What does this look like? Burning questions when commissioning evaluation

11. Gather evidence of social impact and other outcomes e.g. skill development, increase in motivation and self esteem Assess the value of the project for NML Assess the value Liverpool PCT and MSH place on this work with NML Explore NML’s burning questions Support NML communities dept to improve their service and advocate for their work Evaluation process

12. 2 observational visits to gain familiarity Semi-structured depth interviews with participants Mary Seacole House workers NML staff (by phone) Liverpool PCT staff (by phone) Methodology

13. The group suffer from a variety of mental illnesses including social phobia, depression, and anxiety The group diversity: ages from 40-60, range of ethnic backgrounds and both males and females took part All but one had previous experience and enjoyment of arts and crafts activities Primary motivation for taking part: stimulation and enjoyment in seeing things and going to places not experienced before Contextual information

14. Enjoyment, relaxation & contentment Excitement & anticipation Connection & involvement Self-efficacy(belief in one’s capacity to accomplish something) Well being outcomes

15. “Sometimes I would go there [the museum] depressed . . . but once I was in the museum and doing something . . . all the worry went.” “It was just something to look forward to which is a great help, getting involved just takes you out of your world.” Personal testimonials

16. “fabulous example of what we should be doing…There is a preventative dividend for the PCT in investing in projects like this.” Director of Stakeholder Engagement Value of project to PCT

17. More involvement with partners from earliest planning stages, greater transparency and communication about process and decision-making. Ensure that the biographies and stress vulnerabilities of participants are taken into account. Awareness of aspects of project that may act as triggers for individuals causing flashbacks of traumatic experiences. Ongoing interaction or contact with participants maintained after formal programme of activity has ended so that the levels of trust that have built up Design environments and activity programmes conducive to wellbeing (i.e. that are consistently friendly, informal, supportive) that meet basic emotional needs Education team to receive bespoke mental health training, to share with colleagues and ensure sensitivity in deliveryis consistent Learning for NML

18. Claire Benjamin National Museums Liverpool William Brown Street Liverpool L3 8EN 0151 478 4548 Email: claire.benjamin@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk Contact