History project

Case Study – History project

From a chance encounter with an old plaque in a cupboard, the ArtCare history project has grown to over 200,000 items and been used to engage with thousands of people locally, regionally and across the world.

 

Background

In 2002 Lesley Self, ArtCare’s History Project Lead, was rummaging in a storeroom looking for picture frames when she stumbled upon what looked like a block of concrete. On closer inspection, it turned out to be a plaque from the old Outpatients hall at Salisbury General Infirmary (the previous hospital for the City). When the Infirmary closed in 1990 somebody had cut the plaque out and brought it up to this hospital because they thought it was important to keep it before the building was converted into flats. The plaque said “In memory of T E Lawrence, SS” – Lesley was immediately intrigued by what the connection was between T E Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”) and the hospital.

A bit of research revealed that the SS on the plaque was Lawrence’s friend, Siegfried Sassoon, who had donated money to the Infirmary in memory of Lawrence when he died. This captured Lesley’s imagination and sparked an idea of doing something with this and with the other historical artefacts already in ArtCare’s collection. Over the years more and more items were brought to ArtCare for safekeeping. As Lesley says: “Over time, things started coming out of the woodwork. Somebody would find something in an old storeroom or in a filing cabinet, and for want of a better person to look after it, they’d bring it to ArtCare and say, Do you want this?”

As curator of the art collection at the hospital, and now as curator of a growing history collection Lesley realised that she needed to gain the professional skills needed to care for all of the items. And not only on their conservation but how to record it, engage the public with it, and fund it. She completed a Masters in Museums and Collections Management with Bournemouth University, at their school of conservation sciences, as well as gaining experience in social history collections from volunteering at Salisbury Museum. Ready to put her new skills to good use, a successful bid was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in 2015 for sorting, recording, and sharing the historical archives and collections relating to health care in Salisbury.

A vital part of the HLF project was the recruitment and training of volunteers who would undertake the painstaking and methodical work needed to catalogue and digitise the collection. The volunteers are a dedicated group of people who have done a huge amount of work. Many of them are still giving their time to the project, a decade after the original start of the HLF grant. They do, of course, derive a lot out of it for themselves, with volunteers saying they feel valued, and that it is a friendly, rewarding thing to do in a supportive environment. More recently some have expanded their skills to include oral history and archiving. They are ambassadors for the collection too and are able to represent ArtCare at public events.

The digitisation of the archive items paved the way for the creation of the wonderful website Salisbury Healthcare History which brings the collection to the whole world – something that is vitally important given that ArtCare doesn’t have a museum space. The website means that enquiries and feedback come in from all over the world!

 

The collection today

The history collection is fascinating in its own right, but it’s what it is used for that really adds value. These include:

• Creative Health Conversations
Artefacts and documents can be used to spark conversation, and this is often requested by hospital wards or by community groups. A lot of people are frightened of doing something “creative” but they will happily spend time reminiscing or just chatting over something from the collection. This feedback was following a session at the Hospice: “Thank you so, so much for coming down and spending time with us again yesterday and bringing such an interesting range of photographs and stories from Salisbury District’s past. We all really enjoyed it and it was lovely to carry on and chat about it over lunch too.”

 

• Community Events
ArtCare are frequently invited to bring a display or to do a talk for a community event. Lunch clubs, coffee mornings, and friendship groups have all benefitted from having a visit. Often this sparks all sorts of lovely reactions, as Lesley recalls: “Last year I was in Wilton giving a talk on the history of the NHS in Salisbury. There were three ladies sat in the front row clutching bags. After the talk they came up to me and they all had their nursing photographs in their bags with them, and their medals, and they wanted to share that with me. They had come to the talk to listen all about the history, but they also wanted to share their part in that history, which was just delightful.”
The groups really benefit from having ArtCare there: “Having Lesley or one of the ArtCare volunteers at our coffee mornings for carers is brilliant. It can sometimes be hard for people who don’t know each other to get talking, especially when they are stressed out and tired. Giving them the opportunity to look at old photos or handle some interesting objects is a great way for them to chat, and people often get really enthused, which is lovely to see.” Carers Lead from Three Chequers Medical Practice, Salisbury.

 

• Individual Research
There are often enquiries from individuals, usually relating to family history research. They are given the opportunity to look at the archives in the history resource room in the Culture Club (insert link). Any research about family members who were patients less than 100 years ago can’t be completed because an archive item with personal information has to go to the county archive at Chippenham where it is closed for 100 years.
A lovely example of a personal piece of research took place when ArtCare was contacted by a man whose brother was treated at the burns and plastic surgery department as a young boy in the 1950s. His brother wanted to visit the hospital again and find out more about the pioneering treatment he had received to reconstruct his hand after an injury. The family visited the hospital, looked at some of the old books, and talked about the maps and the buildings. He also spoke with a consultant from the current plastic surgery team, and they exchanged information about the difference between treatments then and now – a lovely interaction and dynamic to have come out of the existence of the history collection.

 

• The Coffee Club
Once a month the Culture Club hosts a “Coffee Club” which is open to all. There is a different theme every month, and it gives people the opportunity to engage with the collection as well as having a sociable and educational time!

 

• Teambuilding and other staff events at the hospital
The collection can be used in surprising ways, as Lesley describes:
“We have all these x-ray films of an Egyptian mummy that the Swindon museum sent it here in the 1990s to find out what’s going on inside. I took these x-rays to the radiology department who were having a wellbeing day for their staff mental health. We set out all these old glass plates and films and things. Some of the students came in and just had never seen an x ray film, because everything now is digital. And so they were learning about some of the processes that used to go on, and the history of their work, and they were all absolutely fascinated. Then some of the consultants came in, and they were looking at the X rays of the Egyptian mummy, and they were giving a diagnosis of what they thought was going on inside the wrappings. So all these kind of interactions are unexpected, but really interesting as well. At the same time.”

Drop-in sessions and displays can be a really good way of getting people to enjoy the collection. One of these was a day where film of the old Salisbury General Infirmary was shown. This was run as a drop-in at the Culture Club and was very popular. Some of the lovely feedback included:

“I would thoroughly recommend this, we went today and it was a very informative and moving set of films”

“Great memories working at S.G.I . and Odstock in the kitchen 1976 until 1985 some great characters special times ”

“Went up to watch film and archives today, so interesting”

“Wow! Blast from the past. Lovely to see all my old colleagues!!”

• Work with Schools
The archive can be a fascinating resource for working with schools. The display board about Florence Nightingale with its associated artefacts (medals etc) are particularly popular!

 

Moving Forward

The collection continues to expand. Recently there have been donations from the finance department who were clearing out lots of old ledgers. Dating from the 1920s, the ledgers tell you the wages that were paid to all the nursing staff in the hospital. As Lesley says “What could be a fairly dry document is actually really interesting, because you’ve got things like the names of the staff. So if people doing their family history that’s really useful. Or if we’ve got a photograph in our collection of Adeline Cable, for example, we can see how much she was being paid to work there, and some details about what her rank was and how long she worked for the hospital, all those sorts of interesting things.”

Another very happy incident took place where, like the T E Lawrence plaque, a staff member’s quick thinking saved something of historical significance from being discarded. Old staff members from the Old Manor Hospital (previously Fisherton Asylum) had spoken about a plaque that used to be in the chapel, dedicated to Cecil Chubb (former owner of Stonehenge and benefactor to the asylum). The chapel has been derelict for many years and the plaque was thought to be lost.

ArtCare Technician Phil also works for the grounds and waste team, so he keeps his eye out for anything that is being discarded. The chapel at Salisbury District Hospital were having a clear out of their storeroom and Phil spotted a brass plaque, which he brought over to ArtCare. Large, heavy, decorated with old English script, and beautiful enamels the plaque turned out to be the missing Cecil Chubb plaque! Lesley adds “What’s really lovely is our technician said at the time it had made his month. Then he came in later to say he had gone away over the weekend and researched Cecil Chubb and the history of Stonehenge and the Old Manor. This is an example of how an historic item has sparked that huge enthusiasm in somebody and they’ve got really excited about the work that they’re doing here and the impact that it has.”

The Old Manor features in Lesley’s plans for the history project. She is hoping to work on an oral history of the hospital and its staff, and to do some research into its past. This will definitely spark interest, bring out fascinating stories and promote engagement, which is the driving force behind the whole thing.

Whiteparish Ward

ArtCare created large panel artworks for the newly refurbished Whiteparish Ward. As well as advising on colours and materials, each bay was given its own distinctive theme: orchard, cornfield, watermeadow and forest. Digital images were scaled up into 7.5 metre long panels for each ward bay and printed onto Acrovyn panels. This product is impact resistant, hygienic and low maintenance – suitable for the busiest wards and healthcare areas. As well a wall panels, colour has been added with the use of ceiling tiles and printed window film provides privacy to bedroom areas.

The artworks look amazing, not only for patients staying on the ward, but a wonderful environment for staff to work too.” (Whiteparish Ward clinical staff member)

A former Whiteparish Ward patient spoke about her experience being on the ward before refurbishment and how it is now the artworks have been installed:

“I have spent time in on several occasions over the years on Whiteparish Ward. I remember thinking how nice it would be to look at some colourful wall decorations to break the monotony of gazing at light grey or magnolia walls and saying to myself ‘why can’t the walls have interesting illustrations and colours like those in maternity and the children’s wards?’ Well, the soothing colours and floral scenes now in Whiteparish will make the ward environment much more interesting for patients and the staff working in the ward. For me, to look at a varied tranquil scene full of colour is comforting, soothing and reassuring as opposed to a blank wall which is not distracting when distraction may well be beneficial; mental wellbeing being very important when physical issues are dominant. I hope other wards and departments can all benefit in the future from ArtCare’s ward décor initiatives.”

Artworks and furniture for the newly refurbished ward have been provided with grateful thanks to funding from Stars Appeal.

Stars Appeal logo

Village Tales

“Now it wasn’t in my time, and it wasn’t in your time. This was in a time when birds built their nests in old men’s beards.”

Nearly 20 years ago, storyteller and musician Tim Laycock spent a couple of months collecting stories, anecdotes and songs about local villages, especially Dorset and Wiltshire, from patients on the wards. The ‘Village Tales’ project captured little tales that tell how people used to live, still do live and give a sense of shared history. We have revisited these tales and presented them to you on our website. Visit our dedicated Village Tales project page to read and listen to the tales.

Obstetric Theatre ceiling

Molly pictured with mobile and ceiling tiles installedPrinted ceiling tiles with an eye-catching design created by ArtCare volunteer Molly, are providing a welcome focal point for patients in the Obstetric Theatre and the Gynaecology department. The artworks include different types of birds hidden amongst the blossom, providing a visual distraction for women having caesarean sections or other treatment. The challenge to patients is to see if they can find and name all the various birds. The addition of a mobile hanging below the ceiling tiles in Gynaecology, also helps to instil a feeling of calm, with its gently spinning action. Following the installation, Obstetric Theatre Sister commented , “All of the patients I have had in theatre this week have enjoyed and admired it.”

SDH Nature Guide

New for 2020 is the full colour ‘SDH Nature Guide’, written by Genetics staff member James Macpherson, designed and published by ArtCare and sponsored by Salisbury Hospital League of Friends. It is an inspiring guide to the wildlife of Salisbury District Hospital and the surrounding area. The booklet provides a month by month look at the wide variety of flowers, plants and animals around the site, together with a detailed description and background information about each. As well as informing staff, patients and visitors about the wonderful array of flora and fauna to explore on their doorstep, the booklet also aims to engage support for preservation of the site’s biodiversity.

Author James Macpherson said, “This is a rare and special habitat with which southern England is particularly blessed… and which during my frequent walks around the SDH site I have been able to enjoy on a daily basis.”

ArtCare will be using the books in their memory box activities as conversation starters with patients on wards. It will be a useful wellbeing tool for staff and visitors as there is strong evidence that accessing nature improves mental health and reduces stress.

Why not try some of our linked activities?

Other ideas

  • Look up the latin names for each of the butterflies on the colouring sheet, what is their purpose and why are these useful?
  • Research and draw the butterfly life cycle
  • Create a calendar bar graph that shows when certain flowers or butterflies can be seen in the year

Copies of the SDH Nature Guide are available to purchase from ArtCare please email sft.artcare@nhs.net for detail. The book will also be available also from the League of Friends shop in the main entrance, when it re-opens. Why not take a break from work and explore the area yourself? Or visit our Wellbeing page for more creative activities that you can do at the hospital or at home.

Reflected graphic spire image purple on yellow background

Roaming D-Day archives

In May and June 2019, regular Elevate artists Stephanie and David took our historic archives onto the wards of Salisbury District Hospital. Items in the boxes comprised of photographs, plans, objects and documents. During the sessions, patients, staff and visitors explored the origins of the hospital (as a US Field Hospital built in 1942) and discussed stories, lived memories and experiences that were stimulated by their access to these historic items.

The artists described the effects of the sessions: “The conversations contained common themes; memories of wartime experiences, personal stories and reminiscence, stories about the hospital site and working there. The project revealed a deeply held connection between people and their hospital through generations of local families.”

“This project confirmed for me that archive material is a wonderful resource that needs to be shared rather than gather dust. Tangible objects, images and words enable patients to access emotion and memories they have forgotten they had.”

“The D-Day material provided an immediate way in for those who engaged with it, unlocking both local knowledge and experience with wider historical context. When we share such material we make the ordinary and seemingly unimportant have a moment to shine with significance. This makes people feel valued and appreciated.”

The artists were shadowed by Tamsin who was learning about our archives and how our artists worked with patients on busy hospital wards. She described their work and the benefit felt by those who participated. “They are incredibly skilled at engaging people when and where they are most vulnerable – ill in a hospital bed. I heard powerfully moving conversations stimulated by the archive material that had a beneficial effect beyond being a history lesson. I witnessed rather depressed and disengaged people open up like flower to become animated and energised through these conversations.”

These memories were written onto specially commissioned postcards that commemorated the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. From the 7 days of sessions over 60 postcards were collected along with 26 further extended tales. ArtCare also took part in the 2019 National Armed Forces Day celebrations in Salisbury and we took our archive boxes and displayed them alongside the collected stories.

Find out more about our historical archive on our dedicated Salisbury Healthcare History website.

Headway

Headway Salisbury and South Wiltshire’s weekly Headsmart group, attended by adults who have sustained brain injuries, received a grant from Salisbury City Council to offer a Creative Arts Project over the course of two years. The project run in partnership with ArtCare’s Elevate programme started in September 2019. The creative sessions aim to increase participant’s self-esteem, allowing them the space and time to share their stories. Members of the group have the chance to listen and learn more about each other’s lives and experiences, gaining new skills and ways of working. Creative activities taking place with Elevate artists include music, singing, circle dance and a 4-week special project making personal journal boxes.

Headway charity logo

Talking Journeys

Talking Journeys is a pilot project in partnership with The National Poetry Library and the Salisbury Spinal Rehabilitation Centre at Salisbury District Hospital. The aim of the project is to improve the experience of a hospital stay and create meaningful activity and deliver personalised, inspiring outcomes. The initial idea for these sessions has grown from several sources, but the main ‘spark’ came from observations of the Elevate sessions with David Davies.

People are admitted to the Spinal Centre at Salisbury District Hospital to undertake rehabilitation following a Spinal Cord Injury. The initial stage of their hospital stay often requires complete bed rest and may include being restricted to a single side room. It is common for people to experience isolation, low mood and boredom as well as a range of pain and limitations caused by the unique circumstance of their injury. People are admitted from a wide geographical region, stretching from the Scilly Isles and Cornwall in the west, to Gloucester in the north and Wiltshire and Hampshire, including the Isle of Wight in the east and south of the catchment area. This can often increase the isolation and disconnect from family and friends and can be compounded by the current lack of voice activated technology that could enable them to call home independently.

David Davies is working with several participants from the Spinal Centre using poetry and images as starting points and allowing participants the personal space to discover and grow. The ‘journey’ may involve further creative processes, e.g. sketching or journalling. The project also aims to increase awareness of the National Poetry Library and its resources. Visit the National Poetry Library website to find out what they have to offer.

As the project progresses we hope that participants’ may share a little of their ‘journeys’ online on our website. To be able to do this we need material that can be shared publicly. Following a request for images to artists on our mailing list, some have kindly agreed that we may use their images as part of this project. If you would like to contribute in this way please look at our opportunities page for further details.

National Poetry Library logo

Mary Lou Revue

The Mary Lou Revue Vintage Cabaret have been offering musical refreshments to patients, staff and visitors at Salisbury District Hospital. Featuring a delicious selection of classic songs and magical dance moments, from the 1920s onwards, their delightful show was taken directly to patients’ bedsides, as well as the day room on Spire Ward and to Westminster Memorial Hospital, Shaftesbury. Everyone watching had the chance to choose from a variety of songs and join in with singing and moving with the use of various colourful props. Even our older patients couldn’t resist getting up to dance around the bay with staff members. Mary Lou Revue are supported by Arts Council England and Creating with Care.

Arts Council England logo Creating with Care logo

Find out more about Mary Lou revue on their website

Tor Theatre

In May 2018, Tor Theatre’s tall tale of silly smugglers and unrequited love thrilled audiences around the hospital, including patients and visitors on Sarum, Spire and Chilmark Wards. The mini-shows, linked to their main touring programme, were a collaboration with Salisbury Playhouse (now Wiltshire Creative), and were funded by the Salisbury Independent Hospital Trust. The lively show entitled ‘The Rum Tale of the Moonfleet Diamond’ contained storytelling, songs, dancing and jokes about how smugglers used to hide their contraband.

Visit Tor Theatre’s website to find out more about their work

Breamore Ward Day Room

Funded by the Stars Appeal, ArtCare helped staff on Breamore Ward to make their day room more welcoming and friendly and to improve wayfinding throughout the ward. The artworks, one in the day room and one in the main ward, serve as focal points to soothe and distract patients. The calming images are made up of a montage of local landscapes, including landmarks from Breamore village itself, which the ward takes its name from. These include the bridge over the river, the church and a mizmaze. The images also help to counter the lack of windows to exterior views on the ward. New furniture includes a dining table and chairs allowing patients to eat their lunch away from their bedside if they wish, as well as tub chairs and a coffee table for informal relaxation with visitors. A storage unit means there is less clutter and it’s easier to clean, but books and games are still accessible to patients and visitors when needed. Printed window film creates privacy for the users of the space, allowing light to filter through, but preventing people looking in when walking past outside. Finally, improved signage through out the ward has helped with patient orientation.