Case Studies

In this video case study we hear from Collections Care Officer, Gwen Thomas and Outreach and Access Manager, Ria Sloan who share the successes and learnings from Museums & Galleries Edinburgh Conservation for Wellbeing pilot project.

Heritage Engagement Manager Dr Sandra Mackenzie highlights how the THRIVE project blends volunteering, employability, and creative activities to deliver valuable wellbeing support to people living with mental health challenges.

Museum events and activities can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of communities. Peter Nurick, Communities Producer at V&A Dundee, shares how large-scale events have amplified their vibrant public engagement programmes.

Collaboration with businesses, charities, groups, and individuals was essential to the success of this year-long project at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery.

At the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the beginning of lockdown, the Museums of the University of St Andrews pivoted to offer an upcoming on-site wellbeing programme online. Eilidh Lawrence, Assistant Learning and Access Curator at the Museums of the University of St Andrews, talks about creating a digital wellbeing programme.

Claire McDade, Project Manager for The Skylark IX Recovery Trust, talks about the Trust’s work, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to deliver woodworking and boatbuilding skills training to people from Alternatives Community Drug Charity in West Dunbartonshire, who are recovering from drug addiction. The Trust hopes to expand and build the Spirit of Skylark Centre in Dumbarton with key partners, the Scottish Maritime Museum, at the Denny Ship Model Experimental Tank, over the coming years.

Ruthanne Baxter, University of Edinburgh (UoE) Museums Manager and Founder of Prescribe Culture, talks about their multi-programme offer that utilises engagement with heritage collections and sites, as preventative mental wellbeing support for the wider community and as early intervention referral options for students presenting with mild-moderate mental health difficulties.

Glasgow Museums has taken steps to embed autism acceptance into all areas of its work. Lyn Mooney, Learning & Access Curator at the Riverside Museum, describes the wide range of measures - from improved accessibility and resources to workshops and training - which have been implemented to ensure a better experience for staff and visitors with autism.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on access to culture. The McManus responded to this challenge by partnering with Alzheimer Scotland, Home-Start Dundee and THAT (Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust) to deliver Reconnect, a remote engagement programme. Kim Galligan, Learning and Engagement Assistant (Digital) for Leisure and Culture Dundee, outlines the project and its impact on families and community groups.

Museum Engagement Officer Amy Crawford shares how a focus on wellbeing led to the development of a sensory backpack. By taking collections out into the community, this backpack improved access to University of Dundee Museums and facilitated engagement with new audiences.