National Galleries of Scotland and Rowan Alba nominated for award for incredible initiative supporting people with alcohol addiction

National Galleries of Scotland has been shortlisted for Community Engagement Programme of the Year by the prestigious Museum + Heritage Awards for its work with Rowan Alba. The nomination recognises an incredible collaborative initiative that supports people with alcohol addiction. The winners will be announced at a glittering live ceremony on Wednesday 15 May.

Beginning as a one-off photography project in 2013, the much-needed programme has since delivered 42 sessions in the last year in Edinburgh. Developed in partnership with Rowan Alba as part of its befriending scheme, CARDS, it recognises the wellbeing benefits that art brings. Participants are welcomed into the gallery where they take part in creative activities, designed by the National Galleries of Scotland, Rowan Alba and artist Sam Rutherford. The artist hosted sessions help people whose long-term alcohol addiction has led to poor health and social isolation, to feel more connected. Each month a different topic is discussed and participants are able to explore the collection and exhibitions of the galleries, as well as make their own art using photography, painting, collage, poetry and more. The gatherings also support with emotional wellbeing, building friendships and assisting in recovery.

98% of participants reported anxiety, depression and low self-esteem while 25% have long-term mental health issues. However, after participating in the project 83% reported feeling less isolated, 95% felt less anxious and an amazing 95% felt their opinion mattered where they hadn’t before.

National Galleries of Scotland had the exciting opportunity to work with CARDS participants on exhibitions including co-creating audio content for Making Space | Photographs of Architecture and the current exhibition Conversations with the Collection in Modern One. With one participant sharing that this allowed them to feel a sense of pride and boost their self-esteem, saying: ‘I can’t believe the National Galleries asked for my opinion on the pictures, I took my grandchildren to hear the audio on the headphones.’ Creating the audio guide was an opportunity for National Galleries of Scotland to work in collaboration with participants to re-look at artworks in the collection and rethink their interpretation.

Following the spectacular success of CARDS, a new group and weekly programme ‘The Guided Self Discovery Group’ was also established after networking sessions for health and social care organisations, run by Rowan Alba at the Portrait. Led by an NHS Occupational therapist, small groups meet at the Portrait gallery for 8 weeks. This supports people to transition from in-patient rehabilitation hospital, Milestone, back into the community. The sessions aim to ease the process, which can be stressful and isolating.

Both initiatives explore themes around identity and connectedness and the creative activities encourage reflection and self-expression. The groups have also come together for a joint session, helping participants connect with the longer-term support that is available. The sessions are integral to supporting client’s mental health as they provide new ways to express issues they are facing. Shifting focus to artistic activity enables participants to converse freely, informally, and openly.

Siobhan McConnachie, National Galleries of Scotland Head of Learning and Engagement, said: “The feedback we get from participants is overwhelmingly positive, and we are thrilled that this has been recognised by the awards. The programmes create environments where individuals feel safe and encouraged to participate – something they do not always feel elsewhere.

“Through Rowan Alba. we have succeeded in welcoming isolated people with addiction issues to the gallery and revisit. In 2023 we delivered 42 sessions with 517 attendances overall. Many are individuals who might not otherwise leave their homes, and have no other support or access to help. Being able to work hand in hand with Rowan Alba to accomplish this and highlight the importance art has in helping people is something we are incredibly proud of.”

A CARDS service user said: “I thought it was about art. It is in a way, but not in the way you would think. At first it was the only reason to turn over the months in the calendar other than to remember what day the blue bucket goes out.

The best part for me is my own visits to the galleries, the solitary ones, where I can be around people and still be by myself. That bit creeped up on me and all of a sudden when things got bad at home, I thought, I’m going to the gallery. There is an art to that. Whether its deliberate or not. That is an art”