Training staff in the use of arts for the benefit of people with long-term conditions

TABLO

Arts and creativity represent valuable aids in improving overall well-being. The use of arts for individuals suffering from chronic conditions could improve their physical health, mental health outcomes, their quality of life, and ultimately reduce healthcare costs. While a wide range of creative arts initiatives have been employed to improve the health and mental health outcomes of individuals, little attention has been paid to the training of the facilitators delivering these programs. Staff training is essential if these creative arts programs are to render positive health outcomes and follow ethical guidelines. Therefore, this project aims to build, over a period of three years, an e-learning package of vocational training for staff working with patients with long-term conditions in how to use the arts as a therapeutic tool.

The specific objectives of the project are:

To promote therapeutic environments through the use of the arts and a holistic approach to wellbeing.
To develop an e-learning tool that will support staff to integrate the use of the arts in their day-to-day roles when caring for people with long-term conditions