Summary
Provide carers in the Forth Valley area the opportunity to access Macrobert Arts Centre's cinema with the person they care for. This project promoted positive wellbeing and bonded the carer/cared for relationship through cultural activity while developing friendships and a network of carers.
What Into Film: Carers did
Having previously worked closely with Carers and Carer organisations, we understood that Carers could become isolated and may not be able to enjoy, or participate in, artistic or cultural activities. Our project was aimed at allowing Carers the opportunity to enjoy the arts, help reduce social isolation, and support positive mental wellbeing.
We held a steering group meeting and spoke to Carer organisations and identified a need to provide Carers with regular breaks with the person they cared for, an option to enjoy the activity within a group setting, and access to a cultural activity that is free in a supported and accessible environment.
The project commenced in October 2019 and Macrobert Arts Centre worked closely with two local Carer Organisations in the Forth Valley area - Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre and Stirling Carer Centre to provide a total of 312 tickets each (total of 624 tickets) to local carers and the person they care for. Each organisation was able to allocate 28 tickets each month allowing recipients to enjoy a short break away to the cinema to experience a free film with free refreshments.
As part of this project Macrobert Arts Centre were successful in applying for support from the University of Stirling by way of a Student Intern from the psychology department. The role of the Intern was to design an evaluation system and support the implementation of this. This ran very smoothly and we have benefitted from the skills and knowledge of the student.
Sadly, the uptake on tickets was not as high as anticipated between October 2019 and March 2020 which was due to admin/IT errors and turnover in staff. We worked with the partner organisations and put a plan in place to increase the promotion of the project from mid-February 2020 to increase uptake. Unfortunately, in March 2020 Macrobert Arts Centre had to close due to Covid-19 which meant that the project had to be placed on hold. Due to ongoing restrictions and subsequent lockdowns, we were unable to fully complete the project, however, 29 tickets were used by carers and 19 tickets used by cared for people.
What Macrobert Arts Centre has learned
Based on the short time that the project was active, we learned that communication is key between ourselves and the partner organisations. There were issues at the start of the project which resulted in low take-up; developing a system of open and regular communication would help identify issues sooner and alleviate problems from escalating.
This project was an opportunity for us to work with carers and cared for people in a new way that would allow them to access an enjoyable cultural experience, while also introducing them to the other activities that we have on offer and showcasing the benefits of the arts. We have a growing understanding of the needs of people who are carers and cared for people and are keen to continue working with our partner organisations on future projects that will help even more people access the arts.
How Macrobert Arts Centre has benefitted from the funding
Funding from Creative Breaks allowed us to develop a new project for carers and cared for people. We had previous experience of working with carers and discussions with partner organisations showed interest in the idea of regular cinema trips without common barriers such as ticket price, travel costs and access challenges, providing carers with an opportunity to experience a break from their normal duties.
This project was also extended to include partnering with other organisations that worked with people living in the community experiencing mental illness, helping us to broaden our reach with those living locally and strengthening the relationship with these partner organisations.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
70 Carers and those they care for will report improved mental wellbeing as a result of the short break activity.
Results
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in place, both Macrobert and our partner organisations were closed for the majority of 2020, which meant we were unable to achieve this outcome to the extent that we originally aimed for.
Due to the closure of our partners, we have been unable to obtain feedback from the small numbers that were in receipt of free cinema tickets so are unable to report back on their mental wellbeing.
Case study
Due to the closure of our partner organisations as a result of Covid-19, we are unable to source a case study at this time.
Outcome
35 Carers and those they care for will report feeling less isolated and better connected to both their community and to cultural experiences via the short break activity.
Results
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in place, both Macrobert and our partner organisations were closed for the majority of 2020, which meant we were unable to achieve this outcome to the extent that we originally aimed for.
Due to the closure of our partners, we have been unable to obtain feedback from the small numbers that received free cinema tickets so are unable to report back on whether they felt less isolated and more connected.
Case study
Due to the closure of our partner organisations as a result of Covid-19, we are unable to source a case study at this time.
Outcome
35 Carers will report feeling more relaxed and better supported in finding mutually enjoyable activities for themselves and those they are caring for via the short break activity.
Results
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in place, both Macrobert and our partner organisations were closed for the majority of 2020, which meant we were unable to achieve this outcome to the extent that we originally aimed for.
Due to the closure of our partners, we have been unable to obtain feedback from the small numbers that received free cinema tickets so are unable to report back on whether they felt more relaxed and supported.
Case study
Due to the closure of our partner organisations as a result of Covid-19, we are unable to source a case study at this time.