Promoting social inclusion through community arts
| Pages | 19-26 |
| Date | 22 February 2013 |
| Published date | 22 February 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301311305278 |
| Author | Peter Swan |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Promoting social inclusion through
community arts
Peter Swan
Abstract
Purpose – Using a case study of Artspace, a community arts and health charity, this article discusses
how community-based organisations can successfully promote the social inclusion of people with
mental illness and other disabilities.
Design/methodology/approach – A research project involved a year-long ethnographic engagement
with Artspace, where the researcher participated within the organisation and worked closely with both
staff and participants. It drew upon informal discussions and 43 semi-structured interviews with
participants and staff.
Findings – Social inclusion was fostered through the positive and welcoming atmosphere within the
building and also through the nature of the activities themselves. There was evidence that interactions
between people with and without disabilities helped to challenge negative perceptions held by both
groups. Artspace also offered a safe and non-judgemental environment for vulnerable participants
whilst avoiding the downsides associated with services aimed solely at people with mental health
difficulties or other disabilities.
Research limitations/implications – The case study approach was based on a single organisation
and thus transferability of findings may be problematic.
Originality/value – This article has shown it is possible for a community-based organisation to meet the
needs of a wide range of people whilst maintaining a safe environment for vulnerable participants. These
findings may thus be of use to similar organisations seeking to diversify their user base.
Keywords Social inclusion, Arts and health, Day service modernisation, Personal health,
Community health services
Paper type Case study
Social inclusion
Challenging social exclusion has been an important issue for successive UK Governments.
Although a number of policies to tackle disadvantage and discrimination have been
implemented, people with mental illness are still among those least likely to benefit from such
policies (Rankin, 2005; Social Exclusion Unit, 2004). For example, less than a quarter of
people with long-term mental health problems are in employment, despite the fact that a
much higher percentage express a desire to work.
In recent years, social policy discourse has shifted from preventing people with mental ill
health from experiencing exclusion, to actively encouraging participation in mainstream
society (Spandler, 2007). This change in discourse has come about because of the limited
progress in tackling the stigma and discrimination faced by many people with mental illness.
It is argued that this can be achieved by modernising mental health day services, moving
away from a segregated, buildings-based approach towards one which was flexible,
sensitive to individual circumstance, and fosters integration with the wider community
(Rankin, 2005). Services should be based in the wider community (National Institute for
Mental Health in England (NIMHE)/Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP), 2006).
DOI 10.1108/20428301311305278 VOL. 17 NO. 1 2013, pp. 19-26, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTAL HEALTHAND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
PAGE 19
Peter Swan is a PhD
Candidate at Durham
University, Durham, UK.
Many thanks to all the Artspace
participants, core staff,
practitioners and trustees for
their support throughout the
year the author spent with the
organisation. Thanks also to all
those who agreed to be
interviewed or who helped the
author with this project. Thanks
also to Professor Sarah
Atkinson for her support as
supervisor. This project was
funded through an ESRC
(Economic and Social
Research Council) CASE
studentship.
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