Presenters Kirsten Heydinrych Arts Project Manager Hannah Cridford Arts Project Coordinator

‘I have found it easier to deal with the things I’m seeing… It has given me an emotional, visualistic and creative outlet… Takes the edge off my bad visions’ Quote from ‘Case Study from Mental Health, Social Inclusion and Arts – Developing the Evidence Base’, Anglia Ruskin University

social inclusion reducing stigma prevention recovery partnerships

Infrastructure Advertised publicly as well as through mental health services Has an open referral criteria Provides professional, experienced artists to facilitate the groups Volunteer opportunity Partnership working with health, community, arts and learning providers

Open Arts course example Week One Intro activity - Make a handmade sketchbook Use charcoal, pastels and pencils and explore theses mediums through different mark making techniques Week Two Watercolour pencil and Oil pastels Drawing from found objects and pictures, exploring textures and the possibilities of the new mediums Week Three Introducing mixed media through fabric collage, paint and pens. Use fabric squares or magazine images as a starting point to create new patterns and drawings using acrylic paints and the drawing materials. Weeks Four and Five Printmaking Using ideas of pattern and repetition to create relief and mono prints. Weeks Six Painting Exploring watercolour and acrylic painting. Using different surfaces to experiment with different painting techniques Weeks Seven and Eight 3D sculptures (slab pots, plaques, or expressive clay work). Using clay and paper to create 3dimensional structures Weeks Nine to Twelve An opportunity for everyone to develop his or her own theme of work. Using the skills and materials from the previous sessions with the support of the Artists. There will also be a gallery visit during the course, to the Tate Modern who have a Community education programme. Towards the end of the course an Advisor from Adult learning will visit the group to offer Information, Advice and Guidance supporting you on your choices for what you would like to do after this course has finished. Additional Information This programme is a guideline – participants can work at their own pace and interest, and we welcome your suggestions. There will be facilities to photograph and document your work throughout the course. All materials, sketchbooks and tea and coffee will be provided.

‘I feel I can begin to reawaken to art and my creative nature which I feared had died’ Open Arts Participant, Basildon

Benefits include: Taster arts techniques Therapeutic benefit, social networking, learning Confidence Motivation Management of mental health condition

Ongoing evaluation built in to the project Pre & Post course questionnaire results from indicate: –100% of participants enjoyed their course –92% reported improved art skills –78% reported improved confidence –89% reported increased motivation to do artwork –83% reported increased motivation to do other things

Developments as result of year 1 evaluations: Information at beginning of course on expectations clearer Follow up options developed Accreditation at Levels 2 and 3 Increased volunteer programme Working with local projects to increase diversity in participation

Since Open Arts started in 2008 there have been 388 participants who have completed a course 40 have completed our OCN accreditation at level 2 4 have completed our OCN accreditation at level 3 We have worked with 17 volunteers, 7 who started as participants on one of our courses 100% of participants have been signposted 70 % have moved on to further learning 10 % have attended our open studio provision

‘They treated me like an artist – not a person with mental health problems’ Open Arts Participant

‘The course has given me confidence and self- awareness in communicating with other people’ Open Arts Participant, Westcliff

‘Have felt motivated to try new things and feel hope for the future. Have learnt to relax enough to lose myself in my craft work’ Open Arts Participant, Rochford

‘Before I saw the world negatively and now I feel I am someone and I am achieving something. Everything now is good and positive’ Open Arts Participant, Grays

Kirsten Heydinrych Hannah Cridford Tel: Contact Details: