What are the benefits of reflective practice for artists working in mental health?

Flourishing Lives has published an evaluation of a six-month project offering free reflective practice sessions to 71 artists from 12 arts organisations that work in mental health and wellbeing settings.

The evaluation was conducted by Nicola Naismith who has written perhaps the seminal report on the topic of affective support for artists’ wellbeing, Practising Well.

Key findings include:

• The research supported the evidence base about what Reflective Practice can do, including: providing space for deep thinking, preventing stagnation, promoting self-awareness and providing a means for constructing professional knowledge.

• The key condition for effective Reflective Practice Groups (RPGs), and on which all else builds, is that of a safe space in which to reflect. Highly skilled and experienced facilitators are key to this.
• Participants felt a positive impact in a number of interlinked ways: a strong sense of commonality developed through opportunities to engage with in-depth exploration and connection with colleagues, supporting established teams and those who had newly joined organisations.
• The opportunity to honestly share work-based experiences – both celebratory and challenging – within a non-judgemental and safe space – increased levels of confidence.

Read the report here.

This project was funded by the Baring Foundation. The Foundation is interested in the emerging conversation about artists’ mental health in participatory arts settings. You can find more about our journey here. In particular, we now invite arts organisations applying to us to include reasonable costs for affective support for staff/artists in their applications.