Artlift Sessions Reducing Number of GP Visits
By Mary Whitlock
An NHS-supported art programme in Gloucestershire has been applauded for reducing the number of GP visits by those with chronic pain by 29%. Artlift is a specialist creative health charity, providing a form of “social prescription”, by running programmes for adults managing mental health challenges, for those living with chronic pain, and for those leaving intensive care. It is free for anyone over the age of 18 who is registered with a GP and participants are able to put themselves forward or be referred by a doctor, a mental health nurse, or a charity worker.
The initiative dates back to 2004, when Dr Simon Orpher, a GP in Dursley, saw the benefit of art in healthcare. He noticed that patients were coming to him with health problems that were more social and emotional than medical. By engaging an artist in residence at the surgery and referring patients to take part in creative activities, he noticed that for some, particularly those with anxiety or stress-related conditions, the number of surgery visits reduced and there were significant improvements in their mental health. This is not a form of art therapy. Instead, Artlift focuses on the creative activity and social interaction, not on the participant’s medical condition. Crucially, Artist Facilitators at the charity also emphasise creativity rather than artistic talent or skill.
Creative by Nature course session. Photo: Leyla Ozkan via BBC News.
The scheme promotes a “friendly, relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere” with a focus on a range of art forms such as painting, drawing, puppetry, creative writing, structure making, and dance. Sessions in the Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire) are part of the Creative by Nature course, taking inspiration from the natural world of the surrounding landscape. It allows participants to create art in a variety of ways, such as leaf painting. The Sound of Music course allows individuals to use music as an inspiration for drawings and paintings.
Participants can meet in small groups online or in person in community centres, attending eight to 16 two-hour sessions. In addition, Artlift provides each session-goer with up to three ‘Creative Check-In’ conversations with health coaching trained artists, as well as a one-on-one Creative Navigator service for those experiencing barriers to participation. After the end of their courses, advice, training, and guidance documents are provided in order to establish ‘Move On’ plans, with an online Move On Hub and resources available.
Participants often report an appreciation of taking part in shared positive activities with people who have shared understanding and experience. In 2023, a clinically-approved well-being survey was carried out on 77 individuals who had taken part in the Airlift sessions. Of these, 85% said that they had noticed a meaningful improvement in their health. Some participants reported that the activities cut their reliance on medication, with one session-goer saying: "I brought a little pill tin and I thought I'll make sure that I take them at the right time and I haven't - I haven't needed them."
Bibliography
Arts on Prescription, Artlift, ND. Accessed on 23rd April 2024.
https://artlift.org/what-we-do/arts-on-prescription/
Lillywhite, Maisie. BBC News, Gloucestershire, 19th April 2024. Accessed on 23rd April 2024.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-68818826