Loneliness among older men is a growing public health crisis, with research showing that men over 60 are particularly vulnerable to social isolation. But what if museums could offer more than just historical artefacts?

What if they could become spaces for connection, purpose, and creativity? At Beamish Museum, an ambitious collaboration known as the Dovetails Project has emerged as a powerful example of how museums can address loneliness through creativity, shared purpose, and meaningful relationships.

Led by Michelle Kindleysides, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Beamish Museum, Beth Marston, Health and Wellbeing Support Worker, and Dr Henry Collingham, Innovation Fellow from Northumbria University, the Dovetails Project brought together Beamish Museum’s Men’s Group and Kids Kabin, a children’s creativity charity based in one of Newcastle’s most deprived areas.

Over the course of twelve weeks, these two seemingly disparate groups worked side by side to design, craft, and exchange hand-made wooden gifts. The project wasn’t just about woodwork – it was about breaking down barriers, challenging assumptions, and building lasting connections.

How a Men’s Group at Beamish is Fighting Loneliness with Purpose

Established in 2014 in partnership with a local occupational therapist, Beamish Museum’s Men’s Group was created to address the unique mental health needs of men facing dementia diagnoses, mental health challenges, or social isolation. Meeting regularly at the museum’s Orchard Cottage, the group focuses on creativity, skill-building, and fostering a sense of purpose.

“The group doesn’t focus on reminiscence,” explains Michelle Kindleysides. “While the historical setting naturally lends itself to nostalgic moments, our focus is on the present and the act of creating something tangible. It’s about being useful, learning something new, and finding a sense of belonging.”

Over the years, the group has engaged in a range of creative activities, including wood carving and crafting items for the museum’s gift shop. However, the Dovetails Projectpushed their creative ambitions to new heights.

An Unexpected Partnership: How Kids and Pensioners Became Collaborators

The collaboration with Kids Kabin, a charity dedicated to providing creative outlets for children in underprivileged communities, was an inspired choice. Kids Kabin empowers children aged 7 to 18 through activities like woodwork, art, and cooking, helping them develop practical skills and confidence.

Dr Henry Collingham of Northumbria University played a crucial role in facilitating the partnership. His background in design innovation and experience in collaborative community projects made him an ideal bridge between the two groups.

“Traditionally, groups like the Men’s Group and Kids Kabin are seen as recipients of care,” says Henry. “But Dovetails turned that dynamic on its head. Instead of being passive participants, they became active contributors – creating something meaningful for each other.”

The project encouraged participants to focus not on their own struggles but on how they could use their skills to benefit others. This shift in perspective was transformative for everyone involved.

Four Wooden Gifts, Four Powerful Stories

Over twelve weeks, the groups worked collaboratively on four bespoke wooden creations. Each piece was designed with care, crafted with precision, and exchanged with heartfelt gratitude.

1. FlexiGames: The Men’s Group designed and built a set of adaptable wooden games for the children at Kids Kabin. Inspired by their own childhoods, the men engineered a modular system with interchangeable pieces, allowing children to invent their own games.
2. Tool Cabinet: Kids Kabin asked for a portable, functional cabinet to store their tools during street workshops. With Les from the Men’s Group leading the design, the result was an elegant tambour door cabinet, complete with hand-carved handles and thoughtful finishing touches.
3. Our Lucky Shelves: A young Kids Kabin participant named Lucky designed a shelving system for the Men’s Group shed. Despite initial nerves, Lucky’s meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design created a practical yet beautiful addition to the group’s workspace.
4. The Bench: Perhaps the most emotionally resonant piece, the bench was a collaborative effort. Each child at Kids Kabin carved a wooden slat, featuring designs inspired by their visit to Beamish. Inscribed with the names of past and present members of the Men’s Group, the bench became a poignant symbol of community and continuity.

Each gift carried stories, memories, and a profound sense of shared accomplishment.

How Crafting Built Confidence and Connection

For the men at Beamish, the project reignited a sense of purpose and pride. One participant, Les, shared, “I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six months ago. The doctor tells you something like that, and you think everything’s going to end. But I met people like you and got to work on this, and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done.”

For the children at Kids Kabin, the project offered an opportunity to work collaboratively with adults in a setting where their ideas and contributions were valued equally. Lucky, the young designer behind the Our Lucky Shelves, said, “It was something I’ve never done before. It was amazing to see both sides, the Men’s Group and Kids Kabin, come together.”

Michelle Kindleysides reflects on the power of these interactions: “There’s a kind of unspoken understanding between the two groups. They didn’t need us to point out their commonalities; they felt it. They worked together with mutual respect and shared purpose.”

What Can Museums Learn from Dovetails?

The Dovetails Project serves as a powerful case study for other museums looking to expand their health and wellbeing initiatives. It highlights several key lessons:

• The Value of Long-Term Projects: Unlike one-off workshops, the sustained nature of Dovetails allowed relationships to flourish and skills to develop.
• Challenging Stereotypes: Projects like this break down societal assumptions about age, ability, and care.
• Authentic Collaboration: Equal partnership between groups – rather than a top-down approach – fosters trust and creativity.
• The Role of Museums in Social Prescription: Museums can be dynamic spaces for social connection, offering more than just historical displays.

The Future: Could Your Museum Do This Too?

The success of the Dovetails Project has laid the groundwork for future collaborations. Beamish Museum, in partnership with Northumbria and Sheffield Hallam Universities, is now developing a proposal for a dedicated research and wellbeing hub. This initiative aims to replicate and scale the success of Dovetails, inviting other museums to join in and share best practices.

For museum professionals, the message is clear: meaningful community engagement isn’t just an add-on to museum programming – it’s central to the role museums play in society.

As Michelle Kindleysides aptly puts it, “Museums aren’t just places for looking back; they can be places for building futures.”

January 20 2022

Source: www.museumnext.com