Creative Cafe’s: Combining Creativity, Social Inclusion and Positive Mental Health

Description

Monaghan County Libraries, through the Healthy Monaghan Fund and Creative Monaghan funding, delivered an innovative Creative & Cultural Arts Community Programme in library branches across the county. The programme was targeted at those most at risk of social isolation such as older adults and adults with mental health difficulties.
Creating art, music, or engaging in any form of creative expression within a group can act as a powerful stress reliever. It allows individuals to channel their emotions in a constructive way, easing tension and promoting relaxation. Participating in a group activity also promotes social interaction and bonding, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Finally, accomplishing creative tasks within a group setting provides a sense of achievement and fulfillment, boosting confidence and motivation.

A variety of activities were offered through our Creative Café model as follows:

Creative Art: No experience necessary
Facilitated by artist Mary Scott, this 6 week course explored the basics of painting, understanding the colour wheel and composition. Participants worked on their technique and colour mixing before putting brush to canvas and creating their first masterpiece.
Such was he demand for places that 2 additional courses were rolled out.

Creative Crafting
Carrickmacorss branch library hosted creative facilitator Catherine McGregor (Sew Arty) for a 6 week crafting course. Attendees got to sample a wide variety of crafting methods including Mindful Abstract Art, Textile Painting & Tie Dye Shibori Style, Quirky Quilling and Collage Craft, Foral & Fluid Glass Painting, Embroidery Hoop Art & Appliqué Creations and a magical mixed media canvas.

Creative Writing Café
The creative writing workshop series offered a transformative journey, nurturing both writing prowess and mental wellbeing. Through expert guidance and a supportive environment, participants explored their creativity & self-expression. An invaluable opportunity for growth, empowerment, and artistic fulfilment.
This group has continued to meet regularly in Clones Library to continue on their creative writing journey.

Creative Photography
Photographer and Visual Artist John Nutley devised a Creative Photography Café specifically for older Migrant men who were resident in Direct provision. We felt that photography could offer this particular cohort a constructive way to navigate cultural differences, build confidence, and find beauty in their surroundings, enhancing mental wellbeing and integration.
As a result of this Creative Café, the group are currently working on their own photographic exhibition.

Participation
– Creative Art (x 3 courses): 45 Women
– Creative Crafting 15 Women
– Creative Writing 8 Women, 2 Men
– Creative Photography 10 Men

Total Participation in 2023: 80

Aim of Initiative

The aims and objectives of the initiative included;

– Engage people who were not involved in other community groups or community-based activities.

– Use art, music, writing and other creative measures to relieve stress, ease tension and promote relaxation.

– Promote social interaction and bonding through group participation, resulting in reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation.

– Provide a sense of accomplishment, fulfilment, achievement from completing creative tasks resulting in improved self-confidence and motivation.

These aims and objectives were all achieved, post programme results demonstrated a significant rise in participants indicating they felt happy, calm, and peaceful as opposed to indicators in pre activity. Participants also indicated they felt less downhearted and nervous post activity compared to pre activity.

Who is it aimed at

The initiative was primarily aimed at older people who were engaged with the social prescribers service in Co. Monaghan however we felt that it was important that those service users were mixing and connecting with other people from their local community so the sessions were also opened up to the general public.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Examine research which looked at the health benefits of engaging in a creative activity. Source creative practitioners who had experience of working with older people and those with mental health difficulties.
2. Seek collaboration with agencies who were working with the target groups.
   Provide clear information on what the project would entail.
   Reserve places for Social prescribing referrals.
3. Provide comfortable surroundings and a layout which encourages interaction and conversation. Provide refreshments to create an informal learning environment.
   provide opportunities for participants to showcase their work.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. It was a challenge to find suitably experienced facilitators to deliver the Creative Cafe’s.
2. We found it challenging to engage older men in the activities even though we included a variety of activities which we felt should have attracted both genders.
3. It was a challenge to keep up with the demand for places!

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Participants expressed a great sense of achievement upon completion of their Creative Cafe 6 week course.
2. Participants reported increased positive mental health (based on the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) Questionnaire).
3. Participants requested further opportunities to engage with Creative Cafes. They also signed up to other activities which run in branch libraries such as Crosswords & Croissants, knitting & chess clubs etc.