Czym jest Sztuka na receptę?

AoP in the Baltic Sea Region is:

• A non-therapy programme, although participation and immersion in the arts in itself may have therapeutic effects. 
• The programmes target audience are people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as stress, anxiety or depression, or those at risk of developing mental health issues for instance, due to loneliness.
• The programme consists of varying arts categories (between 3-5), which means that the participants will engage in different genres during the programme.
• One programme cycle is 8-12 weeks and offers activities between one or two times a week. We recommend a minimum of 8 weeks as it gives a good foundation to foster social engagement and a sense of belonging. An 8- week programme may also allow for more people to participate on a yearly basis compared to 12 weeks depending on your yearly programme.
• The artistic and cultural activities offered are facilitated, participatory and experienced in a group.
• The programme concept aims at creating a ‘diagnosis-free space’ to approach  individuals for who they are and not focus on challenges they may have. This is done by creating a non-judgmental environment where the individuals feel safe expressing themselves through the arts and unique needs and goals can be addressed.
• Joining an AoP programme is ideally free of charge or offerred at very low cost for the participants to ensure wide accessibility.
• It is a community-based programme offered by local and regional public authorities or NGOs. It is co-financed and implemented through municipal or regional interdisciplinary collaboration between relevant sectors such as the culture, health, educational and social sector. 
• The referral channels do not only consist of primary health care providers such as physicians or clinical personnel. Social and other public services can be involved and there can also be a self-referral option for persons who wish to participate. By doing so we aim to extend access to the AoP programme to people with mental health issues or at risk of developing conditions such as stress, anxiety or depression.

The participants’ suitability with the programme is ensured by the professional assessment done by referral channels and the link worker.  

In the Baltic Sea Region AoP programme the link worker plays an essential role in managing the programme and supporting the participants.

The term link worker is often described as a person who connects people to community-based services depending on their needs. In many social prescribing services, the link workers together with the individual carry out an assessment of the individual’s health, social, economic needs, wishes and future goals. Thereafter, the link worker and the individual prepare a pathway plan based on these needs and can help the individual to achieve their future goals. The link worker then links the individual to community resources and/or group-based programmes.

In the Baltic Sea Region AoP programme the link workers function is to link individuals to community-based culture activities. The link worker in the Baltic Sea Region is the contact person for all individuals taking part in the AoP programme. Once the referral channels have referred to the participant, it is the function of the link worker to determine if the AoP programme is suitable for each individual participant. The link worker is there to support participants wellbeing during the 8–12-week AoP programme and generally participates in the programmes activities with the participants to support them and the arts and culture facilitators in the best possible way.

A more in-depth knowledge and practical experience of the link workers role is addressed in the themes Organisational Framework and Developing your AoP Programme.

The AoP Programme can be designed for various target audiences with different backgrounds, experiences, needs and preferences. The Baltic Sea AoP programme concept focuses on persons with mild to moderate mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression, or those at risk of developing mental health issues, for instance, due to loneliness,  bereavement, illness etc. 

The target audience in the AoP in the Baltic Sea Region programme concept can include:

• older adults, who may experience loneliness, anxiety or/and depression in connection with aging or loss of close relationships.
• young people who may feel lonely or stressed with school or career/work-related mental health problems.
• adults struggling with balancing work and family life, as well as those who may have experienced a life crisis, for example bereavement, divorce, or illness.