Arts with individuals

We use art as a vehicle to engage, communicate with and develop disabled people and people with mental health difficulties. All of our work is outcome-based, with a focus on improving quality of life.

We forge and nurture rich relationships with individuals to bring out the very best in them and enable them to develop their skills. We also use art as a tool to help people make decisions in their lives.

How we can work with you:

We use artistic methods such as clay modelling or music as a sensory stimulating intervention to create a person-centred plan with individuals going through significant life changes.
We equip you and your team with the knowledge and skills to appreciate and nurture creativity within the people you support.
We use digital media as a tool in market shaping. This allows people to choose providers who are best suited to support them. For an example of this, read about Sky’s the Limit on our Best Practice page.
We work alongside Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS trusts and local authorities in innovative and creative ways to support ordinary people to make choices about the care and support they receive.

Other things you may be interested in:

Oscar’s story

Trev and Steve's ordinary life

Person-centred planning

Latest

Your new normal. My normal.

Are you creative? You can get involved with our new campaign, “Your new normal. My Normal.” Your piece may also feature as part of an online exhibition with Wolverhampton Art Gallery!
Common Ground

Using the themes of “my normal”, “barriers” and “loneliness” we want young people to get creative.
My Life During Lockdown

David and his mom Helen share their creative ways of coping during lockdown
Living in a dystopian reality

Jayne Leeson, MBE - Chief Executive Officer

Rights-based advocacy
Person-centred planning
Short, black n sides

Ever heard the term 'black don't crack'? Well, it does! This barbershop project is running in Sandwell and aims to tackle stigma surrounding mental health in black minority ethnic (BME) communities.
Quality of Life

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Safety and facing discrimination

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Equal rights

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Creative arts

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Health and wellbeing

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Our vision and values

Changing Our Lives is a rights-based organisation. We work alongside disabled people and people experiencing mental health difficulties, of all ages, as equal partners to find solutions to social injustice and health inequalities.
National postural care strategy

We all need to look after our posture. For some of us it's as simple as sitting up correctly at our computer. But for those of us who struggle to move our own bodies, for example if we have a complex disability, looking after our posture is even more important. If we don’t look after our posture, this can lead to debilitating health complications.
Mental health people's parliament

The People’s Parliament is a strategic body led by MPs with recent lived experience of mental health difficulties. Its function is to hold decision makers to account for improvements in services and supports so that people who experience mental health difficulties can have an improved quality of life and be in greater control of their own mental wellbeing. The Parliament is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, just outside Birmingham.
Where we work
Our brand
Safe places

The Safe Places scheme is based on the belief that everyone has the right to feel confident and safe going out in their local community. Lots of people feel unsafe at times in the local area; this might be because they have experienced crime or because they simply feel unsafe. For disabled people, older people and others who feel vulnerable this often means they don’t go out at all. The Safe Places scheme enables people to feel more confident, access their local areas more and know what to do.
Beth's Story

How Beth broke the mould around post-16 options by designing her own future.
Katy's Story

No one's too disabled, or too affected by mental health difficulties, to lead an ordinary life.
Best practice
Annual Programme

Our specialised team combines extensive experience, highly skilled and tenacious, professionals that are known for an innovative and outcomes based approach to practice and delivery.