The Creative Handling Collection Workshop
Our engaging and educational workshops are designed for groups of eight to 56 participants. They last 45-60 minutes and encourage discussions about mental health and well-being through the safe prism of history.
We can adapt our delivery for different audiences, from A-level students to the elderly, for local history groups to staff training days to explore mental health treatment, psychology or how to maintain wellbeing. It is portable, and suitable for use in museums, schools, event spaces and other locations.
The best staff meeting we’ve ever had, the workshop made us rethink our work.
What to expect on the day
From the museum collection, 14 items, and 14 picture clues, are carefully packed in a suitcase, wrapped to evoke a sense of mystery. Participants form groups of two or four and receive a parcel containing a picture clue in an envelope. They are invited to act as detectives, discussing why the item is in the collection, its historical era, and how it demonstrates care for the mentally ill and supports their well-being.
After their group discussion, they present their findings to the whole group. Information cards are provided so that the facilitator can supplement their discoveries, ensuring that all necessary facts are provided, additional information is shared, and a broader discussion is fostered.
The primary goal is to reduce stigma by enhancing understanding of the history of mental health treatment. However, the items and information can be adapted to emphasize specific learning objectives or provide social enjoyment through a more historically informative session. Topics such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or lobotomy, which may be more challenging, do not necessarily need to be included. The Handling Collection suitcase is available for groups to hire or to request a session with a facilitator.
Wonderful interaction and effortless learning. Museums are about passion. Stella shines out as she shares the stories @Glenside_museum with us. Stella showing us her suitcase of wonders. Each object has a picture clue and questions to ask.
Older People
participating in Handling Workshops
In partnership with Age Friendly Museums Network and South West Museum Development our Pop-up-Museum was used to engage with elderly, vulnerable audiences. Four sessions engaged 78 participants in three care homes and one Alzheimer's care group.
"Most of us remember these kinds of objects!"
"Really enjoyable – something quite different from what we usually have."
Educational Visits
The workshops afford a great opportunity to integrate historical and theoretical content from lectures e.g., about treatment and interventions in mental health, with first-hand observations, audio & practical experiences such as trying on a straitjacket, holding original lobotomy surgery tools. The collection gives students (and myself) a glance into the history of asylums and psychiatric practice; introducing them to how treatments evolved, as well as busting some historical myths and. distortions. They learn that while some of the old of ways doing things were misguided and cruel (lobotomies), others were more compassionate and align or even surpass current preferred models of good practice (e.g. industrial therapy), while others still exist and remain controversial to this day (e.g., ECT). I strongly recommend the Museum as an educational experience for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The interactive workshops are excellent and provoke both practical experience and critical thought/ discussion in students.
The personal items, photos and descriptions gave a real sense of the lived experience. It enabled the discussion with international students on the differences in health care between the UK and Hong Kong, it also enabled me to reflect on the changes through the years of mental health care in the UK. The museum is invaluable. A fascinating place to review the past, learn from the past and reflect on how mental health care can change for the positive
Contact us for more details and to book
