All of our work is underpinned by the core values of equality and coproduction, and we embed these alongside the recovery model within our mental health workstream. We believe that the person is the expert in their own mental health journey, and that they should be in charge of it. Being able to express our views is fundamental to our human rights, and the arts can often be the best way to do this.

Engaging with the arts increases well-being, reduces isolation and promotes resilience. The recent national report Creative Health for Arts and Wellbeing http://www.artshealthandwellbeing.org.uk/appg-inquiry/ clearly evidences the role of the arts to mental health recovery.  We know from our many years of researching, delivering and evaluating arts projects that art can be a transformational tool for:

• unlocking emotional pain
• providing a platform for self-expression
• challenging the stigma and discrimination of mental health
• giving a voice when words are hard to find
• reinforcing messages of hope, recovery and resilience

How we can work with you

• We run poetry and spoken word workshops in your organisation, college, school, workplace or in the community, to challenge discrimination and stigma around mental health.

• We coproduce art pieces using photography, collage, digital arts and textiles with people who use your services and supports to promote your organisation and reflect its values.

• We develop bespoke leadership sessions for people with mental health difficulties - as a one-off, or as part of a wider programme of activities – to equip people with the skills to influence service change and improvement.

• We facilitate events between local people and NHS trusts, commissioners, local authorities and service providers to design, plan and develop innovative solutions to services and supports.

This poetry book was written with young people after sessions in their school where they talked about mental health. They were supported by a poet to turn their thoughts, experiences and ideas into poetry, which they then performed to the school.

Other things you may be interested in

Arts with individuals

Arts with communities

Arts in schools