Glasgow Association For Mental Health
The issue we addressed
To empower adults with mental health issues to explore their social histories and identities through sociology and art.
What we did
QMU worked with Glasgow Open Museums (OM) and 13 adults from the Glasgow Association for Mental Health (GAMH) who were selected to attend sociology workshops on identity, community and society. After five weeks of discussion and study led by QMU lecturer John Hughes, participants chose art and artefacts from the OM archives to explore their understanding of sociological concepts such as social class, poverty, social exclusion, gender, sexuality, social stigma and family.
The students read sociological literature on their chosen concept and applied their learning to a critical inquiry of their artwork. All students completed academic essays. An exhibition of their work, “Experts by Experience” was attended by XXXXX (name organisations) at the Glasgow City Chambers.
The impact
Students had a new and positive learning experience leading to increased self-confidence and knowledge about their identities and communities. Students reported a greater sense of value and well being which has benefited their families and local communities too. Here’s what they had to say:
“Great experience, we weren’t rushed or pursued”.
“Sociology is a lived experience; we are here because we want to be here, we went to school because we had to”.
“The art was brilliant”.
“The more you learn, the more you want to learn”.
“Before this course I hadn’t read a book or newspaper in seven years”.
“You are helping us back to life”.
All students received academic credit on completion (did all who started finish the course?). XX (put number here) have taken their studies further, including X (put number here) doing the QMU Pub Soc degree.
Every student is a member of the partners’ steering group which is planning the roll out of the project to more community groups.
The unique collaboration between QMU and GAMH has received praise from the Scottish Higher Education and Museums sectors, MPs, MSPs and local councillors. The exhibition launch was marked by an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons, signed by MPs from across the House; a true mark of the project’s esteem.
More information
To read more about this project follow the links (include links to academic papers/films etc)
Contact
To discuss this project please contact
John Docherty-Hughes tel/email
