Frederiksberg Museums

The Frederiksberg Museums runs a lot of different programmes in the frame of art and health. They always work in partnerships with their local target group connoisseurs; healthcare centers, organizations etc. This project aims to combat loneliness and strengthen the social networks of the elderly. The Frederiksberg Museums have been doing this programme the last 10 years with an average of two 12-week courses per year. For each course it's the same eight participants. The course is based on stories and objects from the Frederiksberg Museums' collections, and can include music, old popular songs, photos, diary transcripts, letters and much more. In addition to the museum objects, they encourage participants to bring their own pictures and objects that complement the themes they work with. Each meeting has a theme that revolves around a phase of life. It can be childhood, marriage, working life, travel etc. The museum facilitator starts showing historical objects or telling stories connected to the theme and the participant is sharing their thoughts or personal memories. Sometimes it includes singing old popular songs together. The participants are recruited through a partnership with the local health center. Through their preventive home visits, they assess whether the individual may be socially isolated or lonely, after which they inform about the museums' social program and, if they are interested, enroll them. This collaboration secure them, that the target group is right. The typical participant is 75+ years, living alone, have lost their spouse, or has recently moved to the area. They have been working in this field from more than ten years, and have integrated art and health in their dissemination strategy.