Flourish: Final report

Flourish (“the intervention”) is based on the Gloucestershire Artlift project but is targeted at participants who are living with or beyond cancer. It is a joint programme between Gloucestershire Artlift and Macmillan Cancer Support. Flourish is a referral scheme that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of patients through an 8-week arts course. Courses in a variety of arts are being offered on a limited, pilot basis to understand their efficacy in this particular patient group. Participants are recruited via GP and clinical referral, through targeted promotion in clinical settings and the offering of “taster sessions” for interested patients. The inclusion criteria for referral included people who have either a current or
past diagnosis of cancer for the purposes of improving ability to self-manage consequences of treatment and late effects.
This report provides a summary of the evaluation undertaken by the University of Gloucestershire during 2016-2017.
Objectives
The evaluation investigated the following objectives:
1. To investigate the effect of the intervention on wellbeing, using a validated measure (WEMWBS(1)), pre- and post- intervention
2. Investigate the nature of all referrals (i.e. gender) and their progress through the intervention (i.e. attendance)
3. To qualitatively investigate patient experiences and perceptions of the Flourish programme.
Method
Participants (n=8) were referred into the project via a referral form. Pre and post intervention Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Health and Wellbeing (WEMWBS) questionnaires were completed. Demographic data was also captured on the referral form. On completion of the intervention, participants (n=4) were invited to take part in a post intervention focus group lasting 60 minutes. These participants had formed a Move-on group (MoG), which is an unofficial continuation of Artlift activities.
Results
Findings from this mixed method evaluation are summarised below:
• A 100% completion rate for participants, but this must be considered in light of the small number of participants (n=8).
• There was a statistically significant increase in wellbeing when comparing pre and post wellbeing scores, using the WEBWMES, for those participating in the Flourish course.
• Flourish provided the opportunity for social interaction with similar others, where talking and sharing experiences was welcomed.
• The group provided a source of social support, which was received from other participants, the artist and the cancer support worker.
• There is an important role for the Move-on Group (but support and advice is required to establish it.
• Flourish provided an opportunity for both respite for family members and for new friendships to be formed.
Conclusions
Findings support previous evaluations of arts on prescription interventions regarding a positive change on wellbeing, post intervention. They also identify that such programmes provide a valued opportunity for social interaction with similar others, for a place to share experiences and for respite for families. They also provide the opportunity for new friendships to develop, based on the shared experience of both cancer and also the art intervention.
Recommendations
A number of recommendations are drawn from the findings for consideration for future arts on prescription programmes for people living with, and beyond, cancer. These include:
1. Consider providing Flourish for both survivors, and people in treatment, as a separate intervention (although the cost of providing this may be prohibitive).
2. Within the intervention, work with participants early on in the programme to consider a MoG and provide advice from other MoGs how this could be established and be sustainable. This could be provided in the form of a tool-kit.
3. Make potential participants aware of the benefits of taking part for example opportunity for social interaction with similar others, opportunity to meet new friends, to share experiences and for respite for family members.
4. The role of the artist and cancer support work, in this evaluation, appear to be important as a source of social support for participants, during the intervention.
5. Consider, in the promotion of Flourish, that the whole experience of the Flourish intervention, and the activity itself, appears to enable a shared experience, social interaction, enjoyment and a safe space for people living with, and beyond, cancer