Go See Fund: Supporting people to connect with local arts and heritage

Dudley CVS’s Integrated Plus is a vanguard social prescribing service that supports residents from the Dudley Borough who present at GP surgeries with non-medical support needs. With over a decade since its inception the service has found innovative ways of supporting local people, building relationships with partner organisations, and developing new initiatives to ensure that the service is responsive to the needs of the people who it supports. The service was recently awarded money from the Creative Black Country’s Go See Fund.

Most clients that Integrated Plus supports are socially isolated and experience multiple barriers engaging with the wider community. They often report struggling with financial hardship, mental health difficulties, and a lack of confidence to explore local community venues. Integrated Plus strives to find innovative ways of supporting people to engage with peers and in the wider community. The Go See Fund provided the opportunity for thirty clients to access local arts and history venues via guided group tours.

The group tours also gave the opportunity to clients who might struggle financially the chance to engage with local arts, heritage, and tourist venues guided tours for free. The money was spent on day trips to visit the Stourbridge Glass Museum, Dudley Zoo, and Black Country Living Museum. Trips took place over a period of two months and feedback from clients was unanimously positive. As well as providing the chance to visit the locations, these trips also gave clients the chance to engage with one another and the wider community.

During the three visits lots of positive feedback was received from clients. Matt who attended the Stourbridge Glass Museum trip said that he found the experience something that allowed him to get out of his house and take his mind off difficulties he was referred to the service for.

“I really enjoyed the trip. I learnt a lot about the local history of glassmaking, and it gave me a chance to get out the house. I usually stay in most of the week, alone at home, thinking about my difficulties, and am finding that this has a big impact on my mental health. I have enjoyed the Go See Fund trips as it has allowed me to go out into the community, meet new people, but in a safe supported environment.”

Matt also spoke about his engagement with a local Spring into Action group at Riverside House CIC and how support from the Integrated Plus service has helped improve his health and well-being.

”Riverside House has had a very positive effect on my mental health. I have enjoyed the activities and also the company of others. With this and other support my worker has referred me to regarding my financial situation and mental health, I can feel that my confidence is gradually improving.”

Integrated Plus will continue to explore ways to promote local arts, cultural events and heritage sites and provide the chance for people who would otherwise not be able to access these opportunities. We would like to thank Creative Black Country, the tour guides, Integrated Plus volunteers, and local organisations for their support making these trips possible.