Extensive research shows that the arts can help speed the recovery of a great many people, as well as improve their quality of life.
There is now a growing body of evidence to support the view that stimulation via reading and conversational interaction stimulates the brain, and via this the rehabilitation and recovery of the patient is improved. Many patients can spend many hours in a bed with little stimulation and interaction with others.
Arts for Health
Cornwall
are working with Victoria Field, Newquay, St Austell and
Falmouth
Community
Hospitals
, the Library Service and volunteers to develop a reading project. Through this we aim to help address some of the issues around boredom, depression, lack of self worth and negativity, often associated with people suffering from illness.
We have recruited a team of volunteers who are willing to commit to about an hour a week on a regular basis in order to go into one of the hospital and read on a one to one basis to a patient. The reading material will be selected by the patient and may include books, magazines and newspapers. The Library Service have kindly agreed to arrange appropriate book selections as required.
Victoria Field, who describes herself as a poetry therapist, writer and publisher has led two induction sessions for the volunteers, in order to help them make the most of their reading skills and to deepen their understanding of the role that this project may play in improving health and feelings of well being.
The induction sessions have been run for
Falmouth
and
Newquay
Hospitals
. A self directed induction pack is now available for those volunteers who wish to join the project but who have been unable to make either induction. It is hoped that this project will expand to include the other community hospitals across
Cornwall
and will link into the library reading groups.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for this project then please contact us.