| Action Space Mobile began working creatively with people with mental health problems in 1972 in London, working within mental institutions and asylums for people with disabilities. It pioneered work in Romania in the early 1990s challenging the conditions in the mental institutions (leading to the closure of some and improvements in others) by developing therapeutic arts activities for socially excluded children and adults, and by training staff to continue the work. As such, Action Space Mobile has been at the forefront for using arts activities for therapeutic work as well as for educational and social purposes. This is regarded as a growth sector over the next few years and an area for us to develop through commissions from local authorities, hospitals and general practices. Our specialist artists offer a range of structured activities to build confidence and re-engage social skills.
Outcomes for participants include:
Health Benefits: Physical, neurological, mental, emotional, psycho-social
· Improved aerobic capacity (singing), which promotes mental alertness, development of motor skills, co-ordination and reduces stress · Anger management (esp. drumming and rhythm) and mood alleviation - stress release, altered brain rhythms · Body/voice awareness · Increased sense of well-being and identity · Raised self-esteem and confidence through skill acquisition and social interaction · Sense of purpose and connection - group work, communication and meaningful activity Social and Transferable Skills
· Communication skills and positive expression · Listening skills and developing successful relationships through team work · Trusting others through group work and taking safe 'risks' - trying something new · Confident in various different interactions · Social awareness/tolerance · Self-awareness of what works for them individually and what they can achieve and offer. Current Projects in this area:
Arts on Referral - therapeutic arts sessions Live Arts Cafe - a cabaret style creative and social evening for people who experience mental health issues and their friends, families and carers. Creative Recovery - creative intervention for recovery champions and their families and carers (drug & alcohol addiction) | ||
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Live Arts Cafe
The Live Arts Cafe is a weekly cabaret style social and creative evening for people who have experience of mental health issues and their families and friends. The evening start with a light supper at 5.30pm followed by entertainment and the opportunity to learn a new creative skill.
The Live Arts Cafe takes place every Wednesday from 5.30pm to 8pm at Moorland Court, 33 Gawber Road, Barnsley.
Please contact Helen Boutle on 07833 936 019 for further details and if you are interested in coming along.
'People don't always have the chance to express themselves, coming to the Live Arts Café helps you to do that in a positive way. People have a break from their everyday life. Coming here inspires me to write, sing, paint, drum at home and do drama at Mind. Without these people to support me, I don't know here I would be', Dianne Cleaver, a recent participant The Live Arts Cafe is funded by LankellyChase Foundation, BMBC, NHS and SWYFT. ARTS on Referral ARTS on Referral is a new creative project which aims to support adults (18+) and their families who are either at risk of presenting or are presenting mild to moderate stress, anxiety and depression. Our team of artists will be working closely with GPs in the Barnsley area to promote the benefits of creative (arts based) approaches to treatment. Participants will either refer themselves on to the project or be referred on to it by their GP or other health professional. Our aim is to promote self-responsibility, inspire new techniques and ways of self-care and provide choice and opportunities to sustain personal development beyond intervention. ARTS on Referral has different strands: 1. ARTS on Prescription: This project strand is for people, who need more intensive support; who are presenting with mild to moderate mental health issues. Participants attend a 10 week course (creative courses available ranging from: visual arts /crafts /music /dance /drama), which will provide: a chance to meet new people develop new skills build confidence and self-esteem have a space for self-expression and relaxation and personal development and self-awareness. 2. Uplift: This project strand is for people who are at risk of presenting with mental health issues. It gives participants (and their families) a number of uplifting experiences over the course of 3 months, whilst at the same time linking people with new groups, opportunities, networks, and cultural venues. We aim to develop participants' imaginations and encourage them to make space to create their own Uplifting experiences. This is a reminder to busy people to take some time out, to relax and reconnect with themselves, and a lifeline to isolated people who might need support to try new things and meet new people. If this sounds right for you and you are interested in participating please ring 01226 391 112 for further details. If you are a GP or Health Professional in the Barnsley area who would like to be involved referring suitable participants you feel would benefit from this project please ring 01226 391 112 for further details. Upon referral, participants will also be given the opportunity to access our weekly Live ARTS Café (a Cabaret style arts and social evening) and the Ticket on Referral programme which will provide tickets to local shows, plays and gigs, reducing anxiety surrounding waiting times for participants. Start date: This work is in the early planning stage and we are committed to respond to real needs in the community, so please contact us to get involved. This pilot scheme welcomes referrals from January 2012. Post Project: Through our experience, we also understand the importance to establish exit strategies and support the moving on process. ARTS on Referral also includes opportunities to volunteer, training to facilitate and the development of a hub of information about other community resources and groups. ARTS on Referral is funded in partnership by NHS Barnsley and BMBC Arts and Museums Service and delivered and managed by Action Space Mobile artists.
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Creative Recovery Action Space Mobile has begun to deliver three exciting new arts and mental health projects funded by Barnsley's Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT). The three creative recovery projects, for the creative intervention for recovery champions and their families and carers are entitled Re-play, Re-sound and Re-make. Re-sound is a 2 year project that offers opportunities for recovery champions and their families and carers to enjoy creating sound and music to enhance, express and reflect on recovery. Re-sound started at the beginning of April 2011 at St. Mary's Church in Barnsley. Re-make is a 15 week project that supports people who are further along in their recoveries to go back into services and develop fresh creative and therapeutic provision. Start date tbc. Re-play is a 20 week project working with a group of Recovery Champions, families and carers using creative writing and other art forms to devise a recovery game that can then be played in other projects and potentially sold as a package to other Drug and Alcohol Teams. Re-play started at the end of October 2011. |
