Health and Wellbeing Service for Professionals

Who the Service is For

The service may be suitable for adults who would benefit from supportive, community-based wellbeing activity, including people experiencing:

• Social isolation or loneliness
• Low mood, anxiety or reduced confidence
• Life transitions (retirement, bereavement, caring responsibilities, changes in health)
• Living with dementia, memory difficulties or cognitive change
• Reduced routine, motivation or sense of purpose
• A need for gentle re-introduction to social situations in a supportive setting

We aim to offer inclusive support regardless of age, health needs or abilities, and we adapt our approach to the individual.

What We Offer

We provide:

• Group-based support through small, welcoming sessions
• Meaningful activity (heritage crafts, practical making, music, conversation, gentle walking and museum engagement)
• A predictable, calm environment with flexible participation (people can join in at their own pace)
• Longer-term support where appropriate (no fixed time limit; people remain welcome as long as the group continues to meet their needs)
• Support for carers and families where relevant to enable attendance and inclusion

Our Role and Boundaries

Our staff are Health and Wellbeing Support Workers. We provide social, emotional and practical support through activity and connection.

We are not a clinical or therapeutic service. We do not provide:

• counselling/psychotherapy or clinical treatment
• mental health crisis support
• personal care
• medical assessment or medication support

Where needs are beyond our remit, we will signpost or encourage referral to specialist services and we are happy to work alongside existing care plans where appropriate.

Referral Pathways

Referrals can be made by:

• Individuals (self-referral)
• Carers / family members
• Health and care professionals (OTs, social prescribing, NHS teams, GPs, VCSE partners)

What happens after referral:

1. Referral received and reviewed by the team
2. We contact the referrer / individual to discuss needs, preferences and suitability
3. We identify the most appropriate group (or discuss alternatives if waiting lists apply)
4. We offer a supported first visit where needed and agree next steps

Some groups have limited capacity and waiting lists may apply; we will always communicate this clearly.

Information to help us find the right group for people

To support safe group placement and person-centred support, it is helpful to include:

• Any relevant health conditions or support needs (e.g. mobility, sensory, fatigue, communication)
• Cognitive changes and what helps the person feel safe/settled
• Known triggers or anxieties (and helpful strategies)
• Any risks or safeguarding concerns relevant to group settings
• Carer involvement (if applicable)
• Preferred contact method and best times to contact

We aim to ask only for information that is proportionate and useful.

Our Practice Frameworks

Our work is guided by evidence-informed approaches commonly used across creative health and dementia-inclusive practice:

Teepa Snow – Positive Approach to Care (PAC) and GEM States 

Our team uses PAC-informed principles, including:

• behaviour as communication
• supportive communication strategies
• adapting support to changing abilities
• understanding the GEM States as a way to reflect cognitive experience and respond compassionately

This supports a calm, respectful and flexible approach, especially for people living with dementia or cognitive change.

The role of music

We use music intentionally because it can support:

• emotional regulation and comfort
• connection and shared experience
• communication where words are difficult
• identity and reminiscence (without pressure)

Music sessions are designed so people can participate at any level (listening, humming, tapping, singing, gentle movement).

Occupational Therapy-aligned principles

While we are not OTs, our approach aligns strongly with occupational principles such as:

• wellbeing through meaningful occupation
• strengths-based engagement
• building confidence through graded participation
• enabling routine and role identity
• adapting activity and environment to support inclusion
• valuing process, participation and connection (not performance)

Risk, Safeguarding and Professional Standards

We take safety seriously and aim to be transparent with professionals.

• The team is trained to Level 3 Safeguarding and the Head of Health & Wellbeing is the Safeguarding Lead for Adults at Risk at the museum.
• Staff are trained First Aiders and Mental Health First Aiders
• Team members hold relevant practice specialisms (e.g. grief-informed support)
• We work within appropriate boundaries for a non-clinical service and escalate concerns where needed
• We welcome professional collaboration on risk management where relevant to group participation

If a professional has specific concerns, we encourage a brief conversation before a first session so we can plan support appropriately.

Accessibility and Reasonable Adjustments

We aim to reduce barriers to participation. Adjustments may include:

• supported arrival / meeting at the entrance
• quieter seating options or access to a quiet space
• clear routines and gentle pacing
• flexible participation (watching is welcome)
• accommodating mobility aids and access needs

If you anticipate a need for adjustment, please include this in the referral and we will discuss it.

What Professionals Can Expect From Working With Us

Professionals can expect:

• clear and respectful communication
• appropriate placement and honest capacity updates (including waiting lists)
• a non-clinical, person-centred approach that complements statutory and NHS services
• strong safeguarding awareness and appropriate escalation/signposting
• willingness to collaborate with existing support networks
• a service that prioritises dignity, inclusion and meaningful occupation

Where appropriate and with consent, we are happy to share general engagement feedback (e.g. attendance patterns, what helps someone settle) to support joined-up working.

Partnership, Learning and Evaluation

Beamish’s Health and Wellbeing work includes partnership activity with universities, VCSE networks and community organisations. We are committed to reflective practice, continuous learning and contributing to the evidence base for creative, heritage-based wellbeing support.