Puppetry and Weight Management
Background
In May 2004, development began on a collaborative project that would assist children with difficult issues they experience when attending an out-patient clinic within an acute hospital. Tallaght Community Arts Centre (TCAC), puppeteer Helene Hugel, and Sarah Dobbs in the Arts Office met. Through research and discussions the initial concept of conducting puppetry play sessions within the general paediatric outpatient waiting area, expanded into a limited patient focus group. Several clinics in the pediatric outpatients department were approached and it was the clinical staff in the Weight Management Clinic, that appeared the most interested. (A monthly arts program already runs within the Diabetes Clinic for instance). It was agreed that a focus group from this clinic would be highly beneficial to both the patients and their families. As this was a pilot project, a focus group was necessary. If the project was successful within the hospital setting, we could glean a group of patients, who would continue their work in another venue offsite, at the Tallaght Community Arts Centre.
Staff workshops and information sessions occurred at the beginning and the end of the program. All Clinical Team members were invited to attend and their participation and support increased the awareness of the therapeutic value of the arts within this healthcare setting. 
Patient group determined through consultation with Clinical staff vital as their commitment required for the success of the project.
Location
As space is very limited in this area, the workshops took place in the plaster room. Although the space was cramped, it was great to have a designated room in which we could develop a routine of setting up and working with children.
A more central location and larger space would be desirable, as there was little room to move around.
Sessions
Sixteen sessions in total took place over a period of three months and took place in the plaster room at the end of the hallway. Sessions began at 8:30am and ended at 11:30 a.m. and were led by Helene Hugel, contracted artist; who was assisted by Sarah Dobbs, Art Teacher; Deirdre O'Leary, play specialist. Sarah would go into the hall and 'recruit' participants. As the plaster room is at the end of the hall we had no strong visible presence. Patients and their siblings would be invited by a puppet to participate and then they would be escorted to the plaster room, introduced to Helene and Deirdre. Sarah would then return once the patient was settled, to introduce the parents to the program, explain it's purpose, give an evaluation form which they were encouraged to assist their child in filling out after the workshops. The evaluation form (see attachment) included an area where the patient and/or guardian would indicate their interest in participating in a group at the Arts Centre.
Workshops were of an appropriate length for both the children and the clinic staff.
It was vital to have one staff member recruit patients and inform parents about the workshops and the goals.
Observations
Parent participation is VITAL to the success of the program as they bring the child to the clinic in some instances traveling over one hour to attend. The children often missed the entire day of school to attend the clinic. For those who will go on to participate in the Arts Centre group, parent/guardian commitment to the program is almost as important as the patients' desire to attend as we are asking them to further give up their time for the project.
Clinic Staff understanding and support of the program has contributed greatly to its success. Mona O'Brien, secretary to the clinics, played a role in encouraging families to attend the clinics and made them aware of the puppetry program.
There were eight children aged between 8 and 13 (four girls and four boys) who expressed interest in continuing the program at the Tallaght Community Arts Centre. The first session was fully attended with participants enthusiastic. Two weeks on, six patients and two siblings are participating. Commitment from the parents is also necessary as without this the patients would be unable to attend. It should be noted that an additional three children and their parents were eager to continue the program at Tallaght Community Arts Centre, however, they live too far away – Wexford Town and southern County Laois.
The TCAC program began the last week of August with launch on the 6th September. The launch was very successful showing a commitment to the continued partnership between TCAC and AMNCH by the attendance (over 40 people) and enthusiasm. At this phase the patients will continue to work with Helene Hugel to write a play, create sets, make puppets and perform the play. Siblings have been invited to participate by two of the patients.
Sarah Dobbs was invited to consult with the exhibition setup. She coordinated the gathering of puppets created by hospital staff for display in the Arts Centre. Photographs taken by hospital photographer Tom Walsh were enlarged and displayed in the arts centre to illustrate the process for the general public. The use of some hospital materials such as paper sheets and drip stands, remind the general public of the partnerships and the potential for the arts in places other than traditional arts venues. Evaluation of this stage of the program will rest upon the arts centre.
Out Patients Waiting Area
Four sessions were conducted in the waiting room of pediatric outpatient department as the clinic was not running for a few weeks. The evaluations taken from these weeks illustrate a strong interest in seeing this kind of program continue in that area. Interventions while bloods were being taken proved to soothe the young patients and parents.
'We have been attending this hospital for over 2 years, this is the first time that I've seen entertainment for the children. I think it is wonderful, as it can be a long and boring wait for kids. Please keep the workshops as part of the OPD on a daily/weekly basis. Keep up the Good Work! Hope to see you again'. (Parent of three children)
Statistics
85 participants of which 37 were not clinic patients (ie: siblings, out patient waiting room, other clinic attendees brought by nursing staff). There were seven repeat patients.
15 clinic staff – consultant, physiotherapist, dietician, endocrine nurses, school teacher, arts officer, etc attended an information session and workshop. In total ten puppets were made by staff. They continue to use them in distracting patients during routine procedures.
One hospital play specialist, Deirdre O'Leary, was trained to continue the program in a more general sense on the wards and at the bedside with in-patients.
Puppet Theatre/Stage
There was consultation with all hospital stakeholders in the creation of the puppet stage. A meeting was held with Health and Safety to secure approval that the proposed materials were safe and in keeping with hospital standards. In addition, consultation with play specialists, nursing staff, arts office ensured the 'theatre' would be used to its utmost capacity.
Evaluations
There were fifty six evaluations passed out to parents and participants. Twenty seven were returned with very positive results. 100% indicated that they agreed or strongly agreed that the program made it easier to cope with being in hospital and made them feel happy, creative and confident.
Some Comments:
1. What did you enjoy most about the art sessions?
Happy atmosphere
Doing something creative and fun while in hospital
2. What did you enjoy least about the art sessions?
Having to leave
Having to finish
3. Please give any comments or suggestions here:
Please have the workshop here all the time
Brilliant Fun!
Second Stage
There were eight children aged between 8 and 13 (four girls and four boys) who expressed interest in continuing the program at the Tallaght Community Arts Centre. The first session was fully attended with participants enthusiastic. Two weeks on, six patients and two siblings are participating. Commitment from the parents is also necessary as without this the patients would be unable to attend. It should be noted that an additional three children and their parents were eager to continue the program at Tallaght Community Arts Centre, however, they live too far away – Wexford Town and southern County Laois.
The TCAC program began the last week of August with launch on the 6th September. The launch was very successful showing a commitment to the continued partnership between TCAC and AMNCH by the attendance (over 40 people) and enthusiasm. At this phase the patients will continue to work with Helene Hugel to write a play, create sets, make puppets and perform the play. Siblings have been invited to participate by two of the patients.
Sarah Dobbs was invited to consult with the exhibition setup. She coordinated the gathering of puppets created by hospital staff for display in the Arts Centre. Photographs taken by hospital photographer Tom Walsh were enlarged and displayed in the arts centre to illustrate the process for the general public. The use of some hospital materials such as paper sheets and drip stands, remind the general public of the partnerships and the potential for the arts in places other than traditional arts venues. Evaluation of this stage of the program will rest upon the arts centre.
