Facilitating the Activities

The link worker is the participants main contact person, who provides ongoing support for the participants throughout the AoP programme. They have the overall overview of the programme, are usually present at culture and arts activities and should also be reached by participants by phone, email or in person during certain office hours.

The link worker assesses communication needs of the participants in agreement with the participants e.g. a reminder message before each activity.

During the arts activities, the link worker and art facilitators are co-responsible for creating a supportive environment, following the basic principles of the facilitation of group activities.

Photo: Jaroslav Gaszyński

The AoP-programmes should be designed to create a safe space for the participants. This refers to a space where individuals feel secure to freely share their opinions, feelings, and experiences, where they can get away from everyday worries and immerse in culture and art activities.

The following recommendations can help to provide a safe space for the participants:

• Create a warm welcome for the participants to make them feel safe and create a good atmosphere in the group.
• The main principle of AoP in the Baltic Sea Region is that it is a non-therapy approach to promoting and strengthening mental health and wellbeing. It is therefore important to note that the AoP programme’s culture and arts activities should not be designed or attempt to address stressful or traumatic issues.
• Encourage and interact. The link worker and culture and arts facilitators should encourage and interact with the participants at their own level. This will encourage the participants to open up at their own pace and take charge of their own well-being in the activities and in the group. Encourage open communication among participants and ensure everyone has the chance to speak.
• Effective communication. Use clear and concise language. Although many culture and arts activities don’t require profound language skills, it is important to consider the needs of participants who are still learning the native language of your country. If possible, provide information on the programme in different languages.
• The link worker and culture and arts facilitators should be aware of the topics of stigmatisation and discrimination. The AoP-programmes offer a diagnosis free space. It is not forbidden for the participants to mention their diagnosis, but it is not a forum to go in depth. Also, all participants should feel welcome and be treated equally regardless of their background, disabilities, gender, age and/or social standing. Be neutral and unbiased in your approach. Be aware of your own attributions and prejudices before committing to facilitating culture or arts activities and avoid ascribing certain social identities and associated values, lifestyles, or experiences to participants. The AoP-programmes should be a forum where participants can be themselves away from stigmatisation and discrimination. 
• Consider accessibility issues, this may include the venue is suitable for persons with disabilities. 
• Create rituals. Rituals, defined as recurring elements that are present in every activity, and which can provide structure and a sense of safety and belonging. This could be starting each activity with a breathing exercise and/or closing their eyes for a moment as a way to land in the moment and be ready to start the activity in a relaxed mood.
• Plan breaks. Incorporate breaks into the activities so there is a balance between activities and breaks. The breaks create opportunities in which participants have time to exchange thoughts and reflections and get to know the other participants. Also, participants have different needs, for example, some may find it difficult to concentrate for longer periods of time. It is also important participants are informed they may take an extra break during the activity if needed.
• Active and passive participation. Support participants during the activities. Although it is completely acceptable for passive participation, gently encourage active participation by providing activities that do not require earlier experiences in the arts. Assess the group and determine if they would benefit from teamwork activities where they can share ideas and build on each other’s contributions.
• Voluntary participation. Participants should know that their participation in the activities is voluntary, and they can decide the programme is not for them after all. If a participant wishes to stop, it is important to let them know it is okay. Ask the participant for their reason for stopping. Of course, an attempt should be made to find a way for them to stay in the programme for example participating in the activities once a week instead of twice a week or introducing the possibility to transfer to another programme which may be more suitable to his/her needs.
• Feedback and reflection. Provide opportunities for participants to give feedback on the facilitation process and the activities. Facilitate discussions for participants to reflect on their learning and experiences.
• Self-reflection. As a link worker or culture and arts facilitator, you should engage in ongoing self-reflection in order to identify and question your attributions towards the participants.

Create a warm welcome for the participants, and outline guidelines and expectations for participating in the programme e.g. confidentiality within the group, communication etc. Initial activities should focus on the participants getting to know each other.

Begin, with an art activity that allows the participants to get started easily for example painting or crafts as people can feel at ease, working at their own pace, but still have the possibility to talk with one another. As the programme progresses, more expressive activities such as performing or singing can be included, where participants can practice being more confident in themselves and in front of each other. 

Photo: Odense Municipality

The link worker together with the culture and arts facilitator should aim at providing a fine balance between vulnerability and providing a safe performance-free space and at the same time offering opportunities for the participants to unfold their creativity and for personal growth in the activities. 

Midway during the programme the link worker either on an individual or group basis encourage the participants to consider how the experiences gained through the arts activities can be applied in everyday life after the AoP programme.

Opportunities for meetings among participants after the AoP programme should also be addressed so that the link worker has enough time to contact relevant actors and arrange opportunities based on participants future needs and wishes to continue being involved in culture, arts and social activities after the AoP programme ends.

At the final meeting of the AoP programme, it is important to set time aside for the participants to look back on the time spent together and reflect on the various activities, the group experience, and personal development. 

Certain culture and arts activities can evoke emotions, such as music, literature, art, or a theatrical performance. These emotions can be everything from feelings of sadness, to becoming tearful or to be completely overwhelmed by emotions.

The most important thing is there is place for the individual(s) to express these emotions. The link worker should be present and support the individual. A simple “are you okay?” is often enough for the individual to feel safe to express themselves. It is important to listen and to reassure the individual that it is okay and healthy to give place to the emotions when they arise. It is a form of release.

In situations where the link worker is not present, it is important as a culture and arts facilitator that you are equipped to deal with situations that may arise. It should be noted situations do not only occur in AoP programmes, therefore, most culture and arts facilitators already have strategies for dealing with such situations. 

It is important the culture and arts facilitators convey they are comfortable and confident in dealing with emotional situations if they should arise. If not, discuss with the link worker your needs to be prepared and equipped for such situations in the event the link worker is not present during an activity. 

It is important both as a culture and arts facilitators and also the link worker know your own ability, competencies, and responsibilities in dealing with persons with mental health issues. In the case where you and the link worker feel the situation goes beyond your abilities, it is essential you know who to contact in such given situations. 

If  you as a link worker have immediate concerns for the mental health and wellbeing of the participant, you should always contact the necessary medical professional (one should be aware of how and who to contact in such situations). Stay with the participant until they get the help and support they need.