This case study provides an overview of positive interventions and applied learning by Heritage Doncaster during Covid-19 lockdown.
Introduction
History, Health, Happiness is the name of Heritage Doncaster’s Arts Council England-funded National Portfolio Organisation programme. Covid-19 presented many challenges, for example, continuation of accessibility and public engagement, responsive and rapid programme re-design, and sustaining quality of provision in a different working environment. This case study demonstrates the positive impact and opportunities to address loneliness and social isolation, and therefore improve mental health factors (as well as other factors), by taking a person-centred, localized approach to learning from heritage and history.
The challenge
Lockdown restrictions announced in March 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that Heritage Doncaster’s History, Health and Happiness Programme had to change its approach to tackling isolation and facilitating opportunities for connection. The team aimed to continue to support vulnerable and isolated people who accessed our programming, as well as the charities and organisations we collaborate with. The need for our work was backed up by the data. Data collected by What Works Wellbeing shows that in general the people who felt most lonely before the Covid pandemic went on to have higher levels of loneliness during the pandemic. The charity Mind collected data that showed that those with experience of mental health problems have been more likely to see their mental health worsen as a result of coronavirus restrictions. More people than ever were feeling isolated, and our referrals through social prescribing increased.
Heritage Doncaster launched monthly activity packs distributed to over 750 residents (7500 sent in total), through charities, food banks, social prescribing. Our evaluators said: “the receipt of something on the doorstep allowed engagement and the prospect of something to do for those shielding or isolating.”
The solution
Heritage Doncaster adapted to offer online social clubs. Our service launched two new innovative clubs - the Museum Make-A-Long, and the History Book Club. In addition to this, Heritage Doncaster recognised the importance of providing offline activity. The team understood digital exclusion to be a driver of social isolation during the pandemic (as identified by the LGA). Many of our participants did not have reliable access to the internet, or found it to be a source of anxiety. Research for the Centre for Ageing Better and Good Things Foundation found that digital exclusion is closely related to social exclusion and inequality. This means that the people most at risk of feeling lonely are also the most likely to be digitally excluded, and vice versa.
The impact
Marie’s Story
"When the lockdown started I felt like I was losing my spirit. Once I joined the group, I felt as though I had a sense of belonging. I belong to something. I have people that are exactly like me. It is somebody listening to me, and me listening to them. I’ve met new people, and made new friends. I’ve also been empowered, finding out that I can do things that I never thought I could do before - like painting. I never thought I was artistic- but I am! It’s an achievement knowing that I can do these things, and something I wouldn’t have done if it hadn’t have been for the group. Before I joined the group, I was beginning to lose my sparkle. But my sparkle has come back- and that’s down to looking forward to Tuesdays!"
Steve’s Story
"The History Book Club was the opportunity to join up with people, albeit in a virtual capacity, to maintain contact because we’d lost a lot of face-to-face contact due to Covid. It was a chance to keep my mind going and it was also a chance to find out and learn more. I’d never been part of an online group before and I didn’t really know what to expect, but I found that it was enjoyable right from the start. It’s a cheerful and friendly experience and something I look forward to. I’ve really learned a lot. I’m in my sixties, but you never stop learning if you’ve got the opportunity to! I’ve gained a lot more understanding of Doncaster through this group. There’s a lot to be proud of about Doncaster and its history. It’s certainly made me appreciate where I live more than I did previously."
How is the new approach being sustained?
The approach developed in a responsive way to support people experiencing isolation and loneliness became embedded into what we do, with various examples.
Heritage Doncaster launched Heritage at Home pages on our website and a large amount of content was created for children, families and adults. This was shared via social media.
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Changing the Record. The team recruited 10 community researchers during lockdown to research under told stories of Doncaster’s past, with a focus on sharing the stories of protected characteristic groups. The researchers were recruited virtually, attending virtual training sessions and carried out their research virtually. This resulted in a gallery takeover at the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum (DGLAM), and several digital outputs.
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Story of 2020 exhibition. The Story of 2020 display was the opening display in the Museum of You case at DGLAM. This case is designed to display community owned objects. This display was crowdsourced entirely virtually in 2020, so is an example of curating an exhibition with the community virtually. It was also turned into a digital exhibition.
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Doncaster’s Five Minute Histories. These audio plays were recorded during lockdown. They bring Doncaster’s history to life. Voice actors are staff and volunteers recruited virtually. The recordings were made into CDs and distributed to 1500 isolated residents in Doncaster, as well as being available online.
Lessons learned
Contact
Nick Stopforth [email protected]
Victoria Ryves [email protected]