This article analyses audience responses to two creative works inspired by traumatic loss—the fir... more This article analyses audience responses to two creative works inspired by traumatic loss—the first, a performance presentation, recounting events from the author’s adolescence; the second, a short film about a suicide in the filmmaker’s family. Both were shown in 2017 as part of a mental health arts festival, attracting audiences with affinity for the lived experiences portrayed. Given the potential for such works to give rise to negative feelings and/or to retrigger trauma, the objective of this research was to understand firstly whether audiences could process the trauma conveyed in a contained and facilitative setting and, secondly, how the specific aesthetic modality of each work supported this processing. The psychosocial methodology adopted consisted of a group-based, image-led associative method—the visual matrix—which invites participants to express their sensory-affective and felt responses to a creativework. In the case of both works, the visual matrix gave rise to a dist...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
This qualitative study examined the perceptions of potential wellbeing benefits of local green an... more This qualitative study examined the perceptions of potential wellbeing benefits of local green and blue spaces for adults aged over 50 years in a coastal town in North West England. At a population level, living close to green and blue spaces is associated with better mental and physical health, with the strength of the benefits being inversely related to the economic prosperity of an area. However, living in economically disadvantaged coastal communities may be associated with poorer health and wellbeing, particularly for older adults, despite the proximity to blue (and often green) space. Exploring this apparent paradox was the aim of the present study. Through semi-structured interviews with members of a community group, we gained insight into lived experiences of local green and blue spaces. The main themes we developed from analysis of the conversations were accessibility, amenities, social connections, quality of environment, and recuperation and escape. Our findings illustrat...
In the summer of 2019, Odd Arts Theatre and Company Chameleon (dance) collaborated to deliver a n... more In the summer of 2019, Odd Arts Theatre and Company Chameleon (dance) collaborated to deliver a new dance-theatre workshop called BROAD in secure settings in the criminal justice, health and educational sectors. Part-funded by Arts Council England, the project's long-term aims are to improve and develop communication and self-esteem, in order to reduce violence and self-harming behaviours; and to improve wellbeing, increase resilience and overcome the barriers caused by previous adverse experiences. The Psychosocial Research Unit from the University of Central Lancashire partnered with the team to carry out a qualitative study of the pilot workshop in three of the five settings, which included a category C prison and two secure homes for children. The three settings were very different in terms of the participants and the spaces used. The workshop ran for 2½ to 4 days, ending with a final performance before an audience, consisting of members of staff. Group numbers ranged from 3 to 6 service users, plus available staff and 3 facilitators. This report draws evidence from observations of the workshops' process, and conversations with the workshop facilitators. The researchers found that: Participants went on a journey of discovery into their expressive range, as they extended the means whereby they could communicate with one another physically and verbally Facilitator participation and participant leadership demonstrated that each individual brought something unique to the group, increasing enjoyment and self-esteem Dance/movement and theatre enabled participants to learn experientially about the relationship between their feelings and their bodies, and move together in relation to one another The intimacy and trust produced by the combination of dance/movement and theatre created the conditions for self-revelation and reflection. Alongside these findings, the report identifies priority themes, principles of good facilitator practice and recommendations for workshop development: The facilitators should remain the same throughout the workshop because the relationships formed are an important part of the process The choice of music, by facilitators and participants, is a key aesthetic and relational factor Acknowledging when participants leave or join the workshop is an important part of maintaining the group-based effectiveness of the process The timing of the 'Trust Walks' exercise is crucial because it is a pivotal experience Reflective discussions should vary in length depending on how they are being used The duration of the workshop should be maintained wherever possible because it emphasises the distinctiveness of the workshop space and provides containment A longitudinal study that qualitatively evaluates the outcomes for individuals over a longer period of time would deepen our understanding of the workshop's effects.
Recommendation 5. Agree on role expectations and priorities The idea that the Health Trainer remi... more Recommendation 5. Agree on role expectations and priorities The idea that the Health Trainer remit includes addressing cultural needs in the context of health and wellbeing should be clearly established among the workforce. If Manchester City Council's vision of a more integrated health and cultural provision is to be realised Health Trainers and Cultural venues will need to engage with each other on an ongoing basis. Recommendation 6. Ongoing support from Manchester City Council An ongoing partnership needs to be built between the Health Trainer Service and staff working in the cultural sector and this should be supported by Manchester City Council until it is firmly established and embedded.
This article analyses audience responses to two creative works inspired by traumatic loss—the fir... more This article analyses audience responses to two creative works inspired by traumatic loss—the first, a performance presentation, recounting events from the author’s adolescence; the second, a short film about a suicide in the filmmaker’s family. Both were shown in 2017 as part of a mental health arts festival, attracting audiences with affinity for the lived experiences portrayed. Given the potential for such works to give rise to negative feelings and/or to retrigger trauma, the objective of this research was to understand firstly whether audiences could process the trauma conveyed in a contained and facilitative setting and, secondly, how the specific aesthetic modality of each work supported this processing. The psychosocial methodology adopted consisted of a group-based, image-led associative method—the visual matrix—which invites participants to express their sensory-affective and felt responses to a creativework. In the case of both works, the visual matrix gave rise to a dist...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
This qualitative study examined the perceptions of potential wellbeing benefits of local green an... more This qualitative study examined the perceptions of potential wellbeing benefits of local green and blue spaces for adults aged over 50 years in a coastal town in North West England. At a population level, living close to green and blue spaces is associated with better mental and physical health, with the strength of the benefits being inversely related to the economic prosperity of an area. However, living in economically disadvantaged coastal communities may be associated with poorer health and wellbeing, particularly for older adults, despite the proximity to blue (and often green) space. Exploring this apparent paradox was the aim of the present study. Through semi-structured interviews with members of a community group, we gained insight into lived experiences of local green and blue spaces. The main themes we developed from analysis of the conversations were accessibility, amenities, social connections, quality of environment, and recuperation and escape. Our findings illustrat...
In the summer of 2019, Odd Arts Theatre and Company Chameleon (dance) collaborated to deliver a n... more In the summer of 2019, Odd Arts Theatre and Company Chameleon (dance) collaborated to deliver a new dance-theatre workshop called BROAD in secure settings in the criminal justice, health and educational sectors. Part-funded by Arts Council England, the project's long-term aims are to improve and develop communication and self-esteem, in order to reduce violence and self-harming behaviours; and to improve wellbeing, increase resilience and overcome the barriers caused by previous adverse experiences. The Psychosocial Research Unit from the University of Central Lancashire partnered with the team to carry out a qualitative study of the pilot workshop in three of the five settings, which included a category C prison and two secure homes for children. The three settings were very different in terms of the participants and the spaces used. The workshop ran for 2½ to 4 days, ending with a final performance before an audience, consisting of members of staff. Group numbers ranged from 3 to 6 service users, plus available staff and 3 facilitators. This report draws evidence from observations of the workshops' process, and conversations with the workshop facilitators. The researchers found that: Participants went on a journey of discovery into their expressive range, as they extended the means whereby they could communicate with one another physically and verbally Facilitator participation and participant leadership demonstrated that each individual brought something unique to the group, increasing enjoyment and self-esteem Dance/movement and theatre enabled participants to learn experientially about the relationship between their feelings and their bodies, and move together in relation to one another The intimacy and trust produced by the combination of dance/movement and theatre created the conditions for self-revelation and reflection. Alongside these findings, the report identifies priority themes, principles of good facilitator practice and recommendations for workshop development: The facilitators should remain the same throughout the workshop because the relationships formed are an important part of the process The choice of music, by facilitators and participants, is a key aesthetic and relational factor Acknowledging when participants leave or join the workshop is an important part of maintaining the group-based effectiveness of the process The timing of the 'Trust Walks' exercise is crucial because it is a pivotal experience Reflective discussions should vary in length depending on how they are being used The duration of the workshop should be maintained wherever possible because it emphasises the distinctiveness of the workshop space and provides containment A longitudinal study that qualitatively evaluates the outcomes for individuals over a longer period of time would deepen our understanding of the workshop's effects.
Recommendation 5. Agree on role expectations and priorities The idea that the Health Trainer remi... more Recommendation 5. Agree on role expectations and priorities The idea that the Health Trainer remit includes addressing cultural needs in the context of health and wellbeing should be clearly established among the workforce. If Manchester City Council's vision of a more integrated health and cultural provision is to be realised Health Trainers and Cultural venues will need to engage with each other on an ongoing basis. Recommendation 6. Ongoing support from Manchester City Council An ongoing partnership needs to be built between the Health Trainer Service and staff working in the cultural sector and this should be supported by Manchester City Council until it is firmly established and embedded.
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Papers by Lynn Froggett