Research

Who is the client?

My client is apart of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (UHB) and the council for arts. Her goal is to bring the health board to see the benefits of art and the community of opportunities it brings. There are funding schemes available for the client to use but they are hard to get so what is produced needs to be well thought out and ready to be sent for acceptance.

Who is the target audience?

We have debated this in the group and although the outcomes will be for anyone within an NHS building the presentation will be for the health board members so I need to keep the work highly professional and factual. To narrow this down further I have decided to mainly target the health care professionals over the patients as the care starts with them

“NHS staff off sick costs the £2.4 billion, with 10 million days taken off in one year. The NHS pay £1 in every £40 on sick leave, including stress, anxiety and depression.” – Creative Health Inquiry Report 2017

What is the Science behind the brief?

A study of 50,000 people found that regardless of skill level, taking part in activities like painting, pottery or music helps people manage their emotions, build confidence and explore solutions to problems.

Repetitive creative motions are easy to master and lets the mind become completely absorbed, reducing anxiety, boosting your mood and even can slow a heart beat. When a creative motion is successful it releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical that helps motivate a person. 

An average person has 60,000 thoughts per day and 95% of them are exactly the same, day in and day out; By immersing yourself in a creative activity changes these thoughts and a mind can engross themselves in the activity where  they temporarily forget their troubles and worries.