Un-Labelling the Language

Exploring Labels, Jargon and Power through Participatory Arts Research with Arts Therapists and People with Learning Disabilities

Authors

  • Nicki Power Queen Mary, University of London, UK; East London NHS Foundation Trust, UK
  • Emma Millard Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, UK
  • Activists and Artists at The Lawnmowers Independent Theater Company unaffiliated
  • Catherine Carr Queen Mary, University of London, UK; East London NHS Foundation Trust, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v22i3.3391

Abstract

People with learning disabilities are often excluded from society. This is changing; however, discrimination persists. Language is one way in which people can be excluded. In healthcare and research, the use of labels and jargon can be a barrier to inclusion. A group of artist-researchers from the UK, some with learning disabilities and some without, wanted to explore power and language in the lives of people with learning disabilities. The group included social change activists The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company - who identify as having learning disabilities, and arts therapist researchers working in the National Health Service (NHS). Using arts-based participatory action research methods, we held two co-produced workshops. The first, explore power, jargon and labels for people with learning disabilities and the second, with the arts therapists only, deepened our understanding of exclusion. We used a range of arts-based approaches including improvised performance and music, reflective art making and poetry writing. This article describes the process of working together and how the arts helped us to connect and explore challenging issues. We discuss the different ways labels impact who we are and the power they have to include or exclude people with learning disabilities from healthcare and research. Our participatory approach supported multifaceted knowledge to emerge, which both empowered participants and laid foundations for an ongoing social change partnership. We share our recommendations to make research and healthcare more accessible for people with learning disabilities.

Author Biographies

Nicki Power, Queen Mary, University of London, UK; East London NHS Foundation Trust, UK

Nicki Power is an art therapist and doctoral fellowat Queen Mary University of London, supported by Barts Charity. As an early career researcher, she is interested in collaborative and inclusive research with people with a learning disability and arts therapists. Previously she was Head of Arts Therapies for Bedfordshire Adult Mental Health & Learning Disability Services, part of East London NHS Foundation Trust. She is a coordinator of the British Association of Art Therapy Learning Disability Professional Support Group. She is a member of the editorial board for the Irish Journal of Creative Arts Therapies: Polyphony. She is the art therapy representative for the Learning Disability National Professional Senate in the UK. Nicki has taught on several art therapy training courses and has an active art practice.

Emma Millard, Queen Mary, University of London, UK; Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, UK

Dr. Emma Millard is a music therapist and researcher. She works as part of the Indigo children’s bereavement team at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust. She also works on inpatient wards in adult mental health at Central and North-West London NHS Trust. Her doctoral work, based at the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Queen Mary University of London, focused on the role of patient preferences in the arts therapies. Emma is an Editor of the British Journal of Music Therapy and teaches on the research module for the Music Therapy MA at the Guildhall School for Music and Drama.

Activists and Artists at The Lawnmowers Independent Theater Company, unaffiliated

The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company are a producing-arts organisation focussed on social change through the use of forum theatre. They believe the arts can unlock the talents and capacity of people with learning disabilities to take charge of their lives, as active citizens, visible artists, and agents of change. They operate in Gateshead, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and surrounding areas. The Lawnmowers are a registered charity. They are run by and for people with learning disabilities.

Catherine Carr, Queen Mary, University of London, UK; East London NHS Foundation Trust, UK

Dr. Catherine Carr is a music therapist and researcher based at the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry which is jointly part of Queen Mary University of London and East London NHS Foundation Trust. She works on inpatient wards for older adults’ mental health. Her research focuses upon the development and evaluation of group arts therapies in different mental health contexts, with a strong emphasis upon mixed methods and placing the voice of those who use arts therapies at the centre. Alongside Tríona Mcaffrey and Hans Petter Solli, she is a co-founding member of the Alliance for Recovery Research in Music Therapy –an international collaboration dedicated to furthering co-production of knowledge between service users, carers, music therapists, and wider stakeholders. Catherine has taught on a number of music therapy training courses and, as a musician, she continues to play and record with contemporary composers and artists.

Photo of the authors Nicki Power, Emma Millard, Activists and Artists at The Lawnmowers Independent Theater Company, and Catherine Carr

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Published

2022-11-01

How to Cite

Power, N., Millard, E., The Lawnmowers Independent Theater Company, A. and A. at, & Carr, C. (2022). Un-Labelling the Language: Exploring Labels, Jargon and Power through Participatory Arts Research with Arts Therapists and People with Learning Disabilities. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 22(3). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v22i3.3391