A participatory approach to developing a creative self-management programme for people with long-term conditions

In partnership with people with long-term conditions, and Neuro Key (working title of the Tees Valley, Durham and North Yorkshire Neurological Alliance) we have designed MyCreativeLife; a self-management programme of creative activities used to support people with long-term conditions. The programme has been designed to be used by health and social care professionals and practitioners, peer mentor/support workers and organisations with support work streams. Each session concentrates on an area of self-management contained within MyLifeTool, such as developing social connections, planning and pacing, etc.
We adopted a participatory research approach where people with long-term conditions worked as research assistants on the project and supported the design of the programme and evaluation of the data. Some also took on a peer mentor role during the programme sessions.

MyCreativeLife is a creative self-management programme to accompany MyLifeTool. The seven session programme uses simple creative activities to support people with long-term conditions to reflect on their self-management journey. People with long-term conditions worked as research assistants on the project to make sure that the programme suited the needs of people with long-term conditions.

The programme was delivered to seven people with long-term conditions, with positive results on their self-management experience. The participatory research assistants also found taking part in the project beneficial to their own self-management journeys.