Art facilitation

Women’s Refuge

Mission Statement‘We aim to support the right of every woman

and her children to live their lives free from domestic abuse. We seek to do this by

raising public awareness about the issue, and by providing a comprehensive range

of services that enable the woman to regain power and control over her own life and make informed, independent choices

for her future and the future of her children’

Background of refuge

Established in 1982 by …….Ltd.

Provides emergency accommodation to women and children who experience domestic abuse

Operates on a 24hr basis, 365 days a year

Background of refuge

Aim is to provide a safe environment where individualised care and support is offered. Services include;

Emergency/ safe accommodationGeneral advice/ informationGeneral support/ advocacyCourt accompaniment

Services ProvidedAccess/ referral to free counselling service24hour telephone helplineAccess/ referral to children servicesAccess/ referral to medical servicesAccess/ referral to legal servicesAccess/ referral to social welfareAccess/ referral to local county council Outreach services

AccommodationFour en-suite family rooms

Communal rooms including;

Family roomKitchenOutside playhouseChildren’s playground

Referral procedures

Self referral

Referred by other agencies, both statutory or other non-governmental agencies

Women can access all services provided on an outreach basis.

Recreational activities

Does not currently have a designated worker to carry out recreational activities

Mainly undertaken by students and interns

Typically ad-hoc nature

Participant

Experienced domestic abuseLate 40’sMental health issues Considered high needsInterest in art and crafts

Materials used

Coloured paper & PensScissorsSellotapeEmbroidery hoopThreadsColoured pipe cleanersFeathersBeads

Materials used

Process

Each activity was explained to the client and what the rationale was behind it

A YouTube video was used to assist with explaining how to make a dreamcatcher

http://youtu.be/UbgZ-uDAmAM

Self-esteem activity

Objective;

To create a visual rainbow of positive adjectives to describe her self.

Promote positive self esteem & identity

Encourage creativity

Self-esteem rainbow

Dream catcher Activity

Objective;

To provide a creative, meaningful way to address fears and worries

To create a feeling of safety for the client

Encourage creativity

Finished products

Learning points from the facilitation

Activity helped the service user reflect on the positive aspects of her identity

Enhanced self-esteem & put client at easeService user felt safe and activity allowed

her open up about fears and anxietiesEncouraged communicationFacilitated self-expression & creativitySense of achievement and ownership

Limitations to the facilitation

Only working with one service user, could have been carried out in a group situation

Activity had been prepared by student, therefore there was no element of choice for service user. This can be considered for future facilitations.

Evaluation

Overall the facilitation was very successful and feedback from the service user was extremely positive. While the facilitation could have been carried out in a group

session, staff agreed that the service user would benefit more from one to one work. Activities encouraged communication and

expression of feelings and anxieties.

Evaluation

Service user was relaxed and felt safe in environment. Created a positive

relationship between student and service user. Self-esteem activity allowed client to

create a positive visual identity. Service user felt a sense of achievement and

ownership of work. Use of YouTube video enhanced the facilitation process.

Adaptations

Self-esteem activity can be used with any age

Dream catcher can be carried out in different ways, using different materials. Other suggestions include, bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc.

Thank you for listening!