Abracadabra! Magic classes on the NHS

Mental health trust teaches patients tricks to boost self-esteem

A MENTAL health trust is boosting patients’ confidence – by showing them how to do magic tricks.

The Magic Therapy Project sees volunteer magicians teaching chronic patients tricks with coins, silk handkerchiefs and playing cards.

The scheme has so impressed Health Service bosses that they have advertised volunteer positions at other trusts.

One patient who had not spoken for four years can now entertain an audience with his patter and conjuring tricks at the Middlesbrough-based Tees, Esk and Wear Valley trust.

The trust said that learning to perform the tricks helps improve motor skills and concentration.

Eamonn McClurey, the community health and learning disability nurse who started the scheme, said: ‘I was always interested in magic as a child. I was shy and quiet and it gave me confidence because it is a unique talent.

‘I was working in holiday camps doing magic before going into nursing. I never thought anything about it until I saw a report about how card tricks could help with physio. So I thought why not try it with people with mental health problems? I saw how doing simple tricks can improve self-confidence and esteem if they do them for nurses and other patients. I did a magic workshop at a conference and people loved it.’

He approached the local Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians and started doing mental health workshops with amateur conjuror Neil Armstrong.

‘We have seen some amazing results,’ he said. ‘A man with autism has really excelled at card tricks. He could not say his own name ten months ago. He now does card tricks for doctors.

‘It is a completely new idea. We go on to the wards for two hours and show them simple tricks. A fortnight later we go back and show them improvements and how to improve their patter. It is about teaching them to do something others can’t, which boosts the self- esteem of people who think they are not worth anything. It is amazing to see.’

Mr Armstrong, 56, who specialises in close-up magic, has become one of the first to apply for the new NHS magicians’ jobs.

He said: ‘Sometimes you leave with a tear in your eye. We saw one patient eloquently performing a trick and were told by the nurses he had not spoken for four years.

‘We think this is something that can really work and it does not cost the NHS anything. The patients have even been making their own props for shows.’

Patients are now working on a magic show for a learning disability conference this month in front of an audience of 200.

A spokesman for the health trust said: ‘The use of simple magic tricks can be beneficial in many ways, including helping to improve motor skills and concentration.

‘The biggest benefit we have seen through our group sessions is the improvement in people’s confidence and self-esteem.

‘These are skills that are definitely improved by learning magic under the right instructor. Those who participate in our magic workshops not only have the opportunity to learn new skills, but we actually encourage them to put these skills to entertaining uses.

‘Some of the patients who have been taking part in our magic workshops have really grown in confidence and the way they interact with others. A number will be presenting at our annual learning disability conference this year.’

Supporters of the scheme include comedy magician John Archer, who said: ‘Magic is a fantastic thing and it can change people’s lives.’

Nimmo Clarke, president of the Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians, said: ‘ Our circle fully endorses magic as a therapeutic tool for people with learning difficulties and mental health issues.’