arts on prescription david walters – senior research officer and director centre for arts as...

Arts on Prescription

David Walters – Senior Research Officer and Director Centre for Arts as Wellbeing

Arts, Health and Wellbeing

• Support physical, mental, emotional and psychosocial well-being (MacDonald et al., 2012)

• Support cognitive/intellectual function; (Särkämö et al., 2013)

• Enhance inter-relationships and spiritual connections (Boyce-Tillman 2002; 2007)

• Support the wellbeing of carers and care staff (Preti and Welch, 2012)

Specifically, involvement in creative activities can:

• Improve community well-being and reduce social exclusion (Bungay, 2010)

• Decrease levels of depression and anxiety and improve mood amongst the participants (Crone et al., 2012)

• Increase levels of confidence, reducing feeling of isolation and promoting social integration amongst the participants (Crone et al., 2012)


• A programme of arts activities available of a referral basis;

• People with mild to moderate mental health conditions are generally referred to the programme;

• The sessions are informal and no previous experience is requested;

• The sessions are focussed on arts and creativity (different from counselling or therapy);

• This is a simply a place to be creative and meet other people.

How it works

• The average length of the arts prescription is 10 weeks (2 hours of workshop a week);

• The sessions are delivered in groups of 15 participants and are led by an experienced artist;

• Most sessions take place within a GP surgery or a community location;

• The participants are introduced to a variety of art techniques: drawing, painting, print making.

Photo courtesy of joyfuljams.co.uk


• The participants are then supported in creating their own work using the techniques demonstrated;

• Participants are from all walks of life and different ages who are looking for inspiration and focus in a relaxed and familiar environment;

• Regular exhibitions of participants' work are organized (including the selling of the artworks).

MK Arts for Health: Arts on Prescription. An Evaluation

by Willis Newson, May 2013

Cost benefits

Simon Opher, Cost-benefit evaluation of Artlift 2009-2012

GP consultations of participants

• Consultation in year before = 1014 = 11.3 consults/year

• Consultation 0-6m after = 454 = 10.1 consults/ year

• Consultation rate 7-12m after= 320 = 7.1 consults/year

• Percentage reduction = 24%

• 6 months after seeing an artist consultation rates dropped by 37%

Simon Opher, Cost-benefit evaluation of Artlift 2009-2012

The next steps…

• Partnerships: H&WBB, University, Public Health England and CCG

• Selection of GP practice/s and/or venue for one year trial

• Funding and selection of an artist facilitator

• Link to other regional Arts on Prescription initiatives

• Multi agency referrals• Evaluation by Centre for Arts as

Wellbeing• Individual patients and IAPT

The potential outcomes...

• Improve participants’ personal health and wellbeing

• Increase self-confidence

• Reduce social isolation

• Empower individuals to make positive lifestyle choices.

• Reduce GP visits, medication needs and in-patient hospital stays

• Improve work skills and increase employability

• Increase active community participation

MK Arts for Health: Arts on Prescription. An Evaluation by Willis Newson, May 2013

For more information contact:

[email protected]

arts on prescription david walters – senior research officer and director centre for arts as...

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