Art Matters

January/February 2011 Evaluation.

This evaluation was carried out from Monday 17th January to Friday 11th February 2011. Of the seventy one people currently attending Art Matters, thirty four people completed the evaluation as part of the term review.

Question11, an addition to last term’s evaluation, asks people to describe their experience at Art Matters, and these poignant testimonials are worth special consideration. Thanks again to the Service User Involvement Forum who compiled the questions.

1. Who referred you to Art Matters?

         a. Do you feel you have achieved your creative goals this term?

b. Do you feel you have you learnt new skills?

c. Do you feel part of a creative community?

2. How do feel about the level of guidance you receive?

3. Has your confidence and self esteem increased since attending Art Matters?

4. Have you been on any visits or workshops to do with Art Matters?

5. Are you involved in any other sort or group or organisation? For example; yoga, women’s groups, men’s group, church, sports group etc. If yes please list.

Groups and Organisations listed:

Focus Diabetes Redhill; Ballet Classes. Philosophy, Music & Film – Adult education classes; Reading Group; Theatre Group; Church; Stepping Stones; Horley Centre; Pilates & Meditation; Church – help with flowers; Re-enactment – the Vikings; Yoga;

East Surrey College – cooking; Coffee group & Lunch Club – Wingfield; Church; Women’s group; Stepping Stones; YMCA – Fitness for Life; Church; Church; Volunteering; Website group; Counselling on recoveryourlife.com; walking Group; Bowling; Snooker; Golf; Wingfield Group; Badminton; Walking Group.

6. Have you seen a Community Link Advisor this Term?

7. Do you do any Voluntary work?

Types of Voluntary work listed:

ESRA; Volunteer at Art Matters; Counselling on website for people who self harm; Charity Shop work; Cleaning; Volunteer at Queens Park; Fund Raising top Combat Stress; Charity Shop; Wildlife Aid; Florists Shop; Victim Support; Charity Shop; Volunteer for Adults with Learning Disability and Mental Health needs.

8. Would you Consider Voluntary Work in the future?

9.  Looking ahead, have you considered going into Further Education?

9 people have asked for more information.

10. What could we do to improve our Service?

It would be good if the department had a prospectus, and perhaps a further education day with speakers from local colleges.

Nothing

All good

Integrate woodwork dept. more into studio - it can feel a bit cut off.

More access to printing your work, post cards with examples of your work on them.

I like it as it is.

Bring back therapeutic earnings.

Maybe looking at each individual person when considering the two year moving on rule.

It’s a shame that people who have on-going mental illness have to leave after two years, whether they want to or not, especially if it’s a critical time for them I know you can re-apply, which is a comfort; also there are many people waiting to use the service at Art Matters - it’s only fair to step aside for them.

Maybe you could offer evening sessions, tasters of different things i.e.; calligraphy, printing etc., or at the weekends for a couple of hours.

Everything is nice.

O.K.

Not sure.

Fine as it is.

Nothing, it’s fantastic already.

Let me come more often.

I think that Mark, David and Natasha do so much already for Art Matters that I can’t think of any thing more they could offer.

Provide list of dates when not on, offer lots of tasters/workshops of different crafts.

Help people in combining their talents to teach others to become more creative.

Bring to an end that people have to leave after only two years.

Keep on doing what you’re doing, it is a life saving journey.

Could be a larger room and then more people could come, Art is really good for you, you learn new skills.

O.K.

I can’t think of any thing at the moment - it’s pretty good as it is.

Nothing – I feel safe and involved when I am here.

Nothing that I can think of.

Stop form filling - waste of time!

11. How would you describe your experience at Art Matters?

Good. Art Matters staff first class. Very good, nice, quite atmosphere.

Difficult at first but getting easier each week, I have explored my own feelings through art, which has been very helpful. I have also been given a referral to art therapy, thanks for the advice.

Interesting, enjoyable, educational, and sociable.

Life enhancing.

A very creative atmosphere and good surroundings; it’s something I enjoy.

It keeps my mind alert.

Unique, creative, supportive, I would not be as well in mind or body had it not for being at Art Matters; it’s a life saving experience.

A road to discovery helped me to learn new skills, Art matters are a mind saver, and I don’t know what I would have done without Art matters.

It is always relaxed and friendly, people respect one another and it takes me time to feel a level of security when feeling anxious and vulnerable.

I have met new people that help me to fit in with projects of my capabilities and helped me realise I am useful.

I feel that I have learnt new skills, gained more confidence, and met new people.

An oasis to get away from worries and focus on something else which I am not able to do at home - even though I could do and want to do at home, I don’t feel able to, so this provides a space to do that and persevere; also hopefully the opportunity to learn new crafts and gain inspiration and help me relax more easily.

A safe, friendly environment to explore your creativity.

Fabulous, I feel comfortable, accepted, inspired, able to be myself; confident.

Very healing and supportive, really helps me to stay well.

Enjoyable, fun experience where I felt relaxed and creative exploring art as a means of therapy.

Very good, secure, unpressured, allowing you to work at your own pace.

Good diversity on offer with a willingness to diversify, inspirational.

It’s all right here.

I enjoy coming to Art Matters, I like painting and I am grateful of the opportunity Art Matters gives me to paint.

It's O.K. meeting new people, I enjoy being creative it helps me to concentrate.

It’s very good, I like coming here it helps me a lot by getting out of the house, I enjoy meeting people, it’s important for me to be creative.

I have learnt new skills that I never knew I had. It’s been really enjoyable and exciting I have really enjoyed coming here meeting new people and socialising.

I could never have coped without attending Art Matters, Mark and David and service users who now have a voluntary role at Art Matters have all helped me tremendously.

The most helpful thing for my mental health since starting any treatment many years ago. The best experience.

I like it very much and hope to remain as long as I can, in this type of work.

Self-esteem, confidence, socialising with others, having somewhere to go in the local community.

It gets me out of the house, friends to talk to and a job I enjoy doing.

Very good it verifies it’s O.K. to be creative.

Friendly atmosphere, feels like a big family, I have gained a lot of confidence in myself. I am more open and creative than I used to be, its stimulating and somewhere to belong.

Gets you out and about, gives you something to do.

It has built up my confidence and given me a new outlook on my work and life.

I loved every minute.

www.artmatters-richmondfellowship.org.uk