By Pippa Shaw, ARC KSS Public and Community, Involvement and Engagement Lead
Much has been written about the positive effects of the therapeutic use of creative methods in healthcare including mental and physical healthcare, trauma recovery and enhancing wellbeing. There is an emerging interest and growing body of evidence in the role of creativity and creative methods in research, especially in reaching under-represented communities. But there is also the perspective of using creative approaches to engage with the public and communities for the benefit of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in research, relevant to all stages of the research cycle. This can enhance the quality and relevance of research and supports its implementation and impact. However, capturing the voices of all members of our populations, especially those who find traditional research environments intimidating, remains a challenge.
The Public and Community, Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) Team at the Applied Research Collaboration, Kent, Surrey, Sussex (ARC KSS), together with Sarah Lloyd, an ARC KSS Public Advisor, who has a strong background in creative research, hosted an event focussing on the topic of "Creative Approaches to Community Engagement and Involvement".
Sarah began the event by stating that being creative is not the same as being an artist. Emphasising that creativity isn’t about being “artistic” helps remove the pressure and self-doubt that can prevent researchers from using creative approaches. The message conveyed by attendees who had encountered similar experiences was 'to have a go'. As when learning or experiencing anything new, it can be scary at first but in time, becomes familiar and often enjoyable. Consider working with members of the group you are hoping to engage, often there are members who may already have these skills and can lead you in this work.
So why think about using creative approaches? What benefits could they offer?
Empowering and equalising - not everyone is comfortable or confident with formal, articulate discussions within hierarchical and jargon-laden organisations. Offering an alternative way for those less confident with words to express themselves may enable some to shine, level the power dynamics in the group, and lead to feelings of being valued and empowered.
Improved communications - Using creative and less formal approaches can foster deeper conversations with diverse communities. These conversations can yield rich, unexpected insights and lead to the rethinking of research questions.
Building trusting relationships - The notion of using creative approaches to build trust between researchers and communities is compelling. Trust is vital for collaborations, and when people feel respected and understood in ways that suit their preferences, it fosters stronger connections.
Wider reach - Creativity can engage people by inviting them to participate in activities without pressure or formal language. This approach encourages involvement from those who might otherwise feel excluded. Enjoyable creative activities, like making artwork, adds value to the engagement experience and allows people to feel rewarded in ways that go beyond the intellectual contributions typically valued in formal research.
A creative approach may not suit everyone. Some may prefer to talk rather than to draw so, being flexible and allowing individuals to express themselves in their own way is important. Planning activities or seeking ideas with your community group helps to ensure relevance. Joining in helps to show you're not looking for masterpieces.
Presenters at the symposium shared examples of their own experiences and work which provided some ideas of what is possible to complement (rather than replace) the more traditional approaches to PPIE.
Dementia Capacity Fellow (DEM-COMM) Creative Health Special Interest Group members shared the why's and how's of creative approaches giving some examples from their own projects and experiences.
Kath Sykes, Living Well with Dementia, Implementation Lead at ARC KSS and member of EMPOWER Dementia Network, described how the Empower Network used creative workshops to codesign their programme's inclusive manifesto.
Sarah Lloyd, Public Advisor at ARC KSS and Artist and Community Creative Researcher, talked about the Community Action Research project she undertook called 'What cost folk's' looking at the cost-of-living crisis on residents of her hometown. Throughout the project she used a variety of creative approaches. Sarah shared, not only details of the individual activities but the collaborative and community centred ethos and approach that underpinned the whole project.
Lou Lacey, PCIE Coordinator at ARC KSS gave an overview of the body mapping creative activity that the PCIE team used with its group of regular public advisors during the annual away day. The activity resulted in some hilarity, stronger relationships, fun drawings but also some serious insights into the motivations, connections and barriers as experienced by our public advisors.
To view a recording from this event click here.
