I’m really happy to introduce a fantastic event that
the BME team has helped to introduce to the county.
It can only be best described as ‘real effective joint
working’, with people, communities and professionals.
I’ve heard it has been a very emotionally moving event
which does not surprise me – but what we want here is
people to emotionally move us! How was it? What do this
sort of community project mean to all of us and how do
we go forward as people and instigating change? Please
leave your expressions on the comments section. Below
is a copy of the press release for your interest!
Press Release:
2 October 2008
‘Open Up’ show to mark World Mental Health Day A
new arts exhibition opening next month will display work
created by ordinary people around Coventry and Warwickshire.
The theme of the exhibition is that it is creative work by people
with experience of ‘mental health problems’. The aim of the show
is to raise awareness of the stigma that attaches to mental health
and mental health services, in order to try and improve care, and
to show how social enterprises can improve the lives of people in
our communities.
The event has been organised and designed by
Community Arts Workshop (CAW) of Leamington, and funded by
Social Enterprise West Midlands, Advantage West Midlands, and the
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. The show will
be officially opened on Friday 10 October, which is World Mental
Health Day, and runs through to the end of the month at The Old
Art Gallery in Avenue Road, Leamington, open Monday-Saturday
10am-5pm.
It is hoped the exhibition will go on show around the
Coventry and Warwickshire area after that. A series of workshops
have also been arranged throughout October to enable people to
represent and express themselves through art. For more information
about the workshops, contact CAW on 01926 888333, mail:
mail@communityartsworkshop.org.
Said Fran Godwin, of CAW:
“We already have a wide range of submissions from all kinds of
artists, professional and amateur, experienced and beginners, old
and young. This exhibition really is for everyone. “Art is an important
way for people to express themselves, particularly those whose
interests and views are too often sidelined or ignored. Anyone
who has experienced mental distress knows how isolating and
disempowering that can be. This exhibition will try and give those
feelings a voice.” Added Sandy Taylor, chief executive of Coventry
and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust: "We were keen to support
this event as part of ourwork to help reduce the silence which
surrounds mental illness.I know the exhibition will be a success,
and we hope it creates real opportunities for people who have
suffered some form of mental distress to speak out and describe
how that feels." Graeme Betts, Strategic Director for Warwickshire
County Council's Adult, Health and Community Services, said:
"This is a fantastic exhibition and as well as raising awareness of
mental health and mental health issues it will help to dispel the
stigma that still is attached to mental illness. Bringing these issues
into the public domain in such a positive way is good for people
experiencing mental ill health and their families and for the wider
public as mental ill health affects a large proportion of the population.
" Media queries: Ian Andrew, Head of Communications, Coventry
and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, tel: 02476 967893, emai
8 comments:
This exhibition was fantastic It felt so good to walk into the lovely old gallery and experience such a brilliant sense of connection with people.
I think there should be more of this. I know, from experience, how important it is for mental wellbeing to have a space to connect with other people in a creative way and to be able to express what is going on. I say a big a well done to the organisers and all the amazing artists who took part. Why isn't this gallery used all the time for stuff like this?
Thanks for the positive comments – I think the crux of the question really is why are things in the community that are so tangible and meaningful not supported with a long term commitment – the BME team has done some very interesting creative projects in the past at the ‘gallery’ with Community Arts Workshop – and the impact that has been noted by service users and professionals has been fundamental – so fundamental that it has led to people in the community becoming empowered and reaching that wonderful world of self autonomy!
" The show at the OLD ART GALLERY Leamington Spa was a significant example of the fantastic and enthusiastic contribution of the artists who gave their work and also the organisers, the project leaders and the far sighted visionaries whose goal will enable more people to take part in what is going to prove be a very vital and necessary platform for artists of all qualities and abilities"
Julie de Bastion
whittleaway and the BME team both ask why there is so little consistent support for community spaces like the old art gallery and the facilitators, CAW. The only answer i can deduce after years of community arts work in Leamington and Warwickshire is that the 'powers that be' are not in touch with the reality of the community or the individuals that make it up. Whenever we ask people 'what they want?' the clear answer comes back, 'more access to arts facilities and opportunities'. As Open Up! showed this way of working with the community and especially the most excluded/disadvantaged individuals is very effective, person centered and empowering so why are we still under supported both politically and financially?
Aside from a fantastic exhibition, filled with some genuinely fresh imagery - it was great to so many community members engaged in the workshop activities during the October month. On the two occasions I entered the Gallery there was a lovely calm and productive atmosphere. People were relaxed and calm, fully engaged in an activity that had tremendous personal and social value.
I was privilaged to have some of my work shown at 'open Up'. What a wonderful building and atmosphere. The group sessions are a much needed requirement for users of the mental health services all over the County. I have been shocked by the comments of many users and providers over the last month that facilities such as this are just not readily available, or only for a minimal time each week. It is a great opportunity to get together, socialise, improve self esteem, and feel worthwhile in a much forgotten community. In my few weeks of knowing Fran and Chris and the many users who use the facilities, I have personally made many friends and whilst this invisible illness doesn't disappear overnight, art therapy is a much needed commodity. Come on Warwickshire County Council, Health Services, lets have some much needed funding to develop this wonderful opportunity, and develop awareness not just Countywide but Countywide. Tim Essex (Service User)
I have to agree with Tim's comment that art therapy is a much needed commodity in South Warwickshire, as it is in the wider UK mental health community. We know mental health service users/survivors/refusers value the provision of arts services offered by Community Arts Workshop. We saw the support given to CAW and the Open Up Exhibition. And I'm sure we all acknowledge that art therapy and advocacy services should be developed and expanded in South Warwickshire. Let's see it happen! How? Well, let's start talking about funding....
D'lelie disgorges, a light aside!
I had a brain toumour 23years ago, when I was 28 years old. The pain was so bad I was vomiting a lot. I had a brain scan and I had jokes about. This remark was reinforced by the fact I was working for the civil service, dept of the environment ( a brainless organization ! ) at the time.
So I fully agree with the third man in this joke. Three men were discussing how the woman's body came about. The first said, she was designed by God, the second, said, she is descended from the apes and the third said no no, she was designed by the Dept of the Environment. Who else would put the pleasure gardens next to the sewage works.
The Brook Hospital, Woolwich, London, where I was living at that time, took a byopsy and sent me to Guy's Hospital in London.
Guy's Hospital gave me eight weeks of radio therapy ( but I still can not pick up any radio stations ). the was between the two lobes of the brain and blocked the spine. The fluid pushed my brain over and this pushed my left eye out of place, so I now have double vision ( diplopia ). I am dippy and loopy. The opperation affected the temperature control in my head, so while from the neck down I am always hot, I am, a significant amount of the time cold from the neak up. I wear hats even in summer, ( what summer ! ). As you may have noticed, I have lost my sense of humour and say the Hospital took my brain, leaving me with the tumour. I am not complaining as the tumour works much better than my brain ever did !!! While I was in hospital I gave up my ten pints of lager per week for cola. The trouble with cola is parting with the gas, which I am told is bad for the planet.
D'Lelie Dobner
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