A monthly dose of culture to boost wellbeing
Date of project: 2024-25
About ‘Museum Meet up’
‘Museum Meet-up’ is a supportive, monthly group designed to accompany people on the early steps back into cultural spaces and creative activities which make life more meaningful. The variety of activities – multi-sensory object-handling, relaxed museum tours, and hands-on creative activities – are designed to ensure something for everyone, regardless of background and interest. Visitors are invited to pick and mix from individual sessions – which take place over two hours on a Friday morning – or the whole programme.
RAMM facilitators are trained and experienced with visitors with anxiety, dementia and disabilities, and the venue is fully accessible. Community connectors, friends and relatives are welcome.
The package of free, low-pressure sessions is a response to calls for more affordable creative and cultural experiences for Exeter resident over 50. Many people are isolated by anxiety, ill health, low mood, high living costs, mobility issues or caring responsibilities, all of which increased through Covid-19 and lockdowns.
Participants & partners
This project builds on learning from a 2023 social prescribing project in partnership with Age UK and Wellbeing Exeter. Around 170 individuals were consulted on a one-to-one and group basis about their cultural interests and support needs.
It identified the value in introducing relaxed start and ends times and providing emotional and practical support for participants. Participants of this initial project also choose the name for the new phase.
Feedback so far
“For the last few days since [Museum Meet-Up] I’ve had a spring in my step. The value that does for people like me who are slightly reserved and isolated is so important.”
What next?
The participants of the initial ‘Museum Meet up’ project will continue to be consulted to inform the ongoing provision of wellbeing activities within the museum. A combination of informal chats and formal surveys will help shape future programmes and ensure participants’ needs are being consistently met.
Further information
Ruth Gidley
Engagement Officer
[email protected]
01392 265305
