In 2009 NHS Walsall carried out a social marketing exercise with the smoking service.  The Smoking in Pregnancy Team were investigating whether other ways of promoting / offering their service would be attractive to those who are choosing not to access.   Part of the exercise included the facilitation of a focus group with women who chose to opt out of the service.  Unfortunately recruitment for the focus group proved hard with only a small number of women in attendance, however their insight proved useful.

NHS Walsall Smoking in Pregnancy Team realised the requirement to extend and further the research / consultation with the target group.  NHS Walsall, Lifestyle Services approached Walsall Council Creative Development Team (WCDT) to work along side the Smoking in Pregnancy team who then suggested working in partnership to extend this piece of research. 

WCDT were commissioned to undertake creative community consultation activities working with local artist Sam Hale. 

Workshops were carried out over a few months in local venues such as children’s centres to gather local insight, views and recommendations to inform the development of future marketing, publicity and service provision to help increase the uptake of the smoking cessation service. Artists Sam Hale and Kim Fuller also delivered creative consultation activities at Walsall Manor Hospital’s Ante Natal department.

The culmination of this piece of consultation will enable the Smoking in Pregnancy Team to assess alternative methods for delivering their messages and the services currently offered.

Walsall Creative Development Team – Arts into Health were commissioned to undertake creative community consultation activities working with local artist Sam Hale.  Workshops were carried out over a number of months in local venues such as children’s centres to gather local insight, views and recommendations. Findings were intended to inform the development of future marketing, publicity and service provision to help increase the uptake of the smoking cessation service.

Artists Sam Hale and Kim Fuller also undertook creative consultation activities at Walsall Manor Hospital’s Ante Natal Department.