Outside the Box

Outside the Box was a cultural social prescription*  pilot project between Oxford Playhouse, University of Oxford Gardens Libraries and Museums (GLAM) and the Museum of Oxford, part of the Reconnect Project funded by the Rothschild Foundation.  The project initially ran in Summer 2022 and was then adapted and repeated for an extended period in Summer 2023. 

The project aimed to improve socialization  and provide creative opportunities for people living with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)/mild-moderate memory difficulties.  

The participants were invited to try different creative activities including art, music, drama and dance, and use objects from the Museum of Oxford collection as inspiration.  

Outside the Box was evaluated under the guidance and support of Dr Anne Ferrey, University of Oxford, Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care and both projects in 2022 and 2023 showed a significant improvement in participants’ wellbeing. The graph below details data from 2022: 

“It’s like I was disconnected. But now the switch has been turned on …. I am actually a changed person… moving forward with confidence.”  Joan, participant 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/OntRsHfRUzU?si=U-MqC4rlnIXGebbF

* Cultural social prescription provides cultural and creative activities for people who have been referred via informal or formal routes of social prescription which includes GPS and link workers or those who self-refer.