Mental Health Charity Arts Network Ensuring Vulnerable People Stay Connected

Arts Network is an arts mental health charity that uses creative practice to support people with mental ill health, who have been referred to us by mental health practitioners.  Our unique service supports our members, providing them with new skills and opportunities and bringing them together to help combat isolation.  In March 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Arts Network made the difficult decision temporarily to close its doors, shutting down a face to face resource that has been invaluable to some of the most vulnerable in society.

The Covid-19 Pandemic is having a massive impact on all our lives, but for the people with mental ill health, it has created an extra layer of anxiety.  Conscious of this, although we were forced to close our physical doors, the team went into virtual overdrive in order to ensure that people remained connected, healthy and active.

Arts Network has established its Stay Connected initiative, which includes:

• Circulated a weekly e-newsletter to our 420 subscribers with activities and information
• Produced three online workshop activities per week on YouTube for people to follow
• Posted out physical activity packs to our 179 registered members twice a month, every other issue contains materials to complete the activity
• Shared artwork and poems created by our members on our social media channels

Additionally, the Arts Network team has been regularly calling all our members to make sure they are OK and to let them know we are there for them.  All of this has been done with only 4 part-time staff and a small amount of additional funding from our valued supporters.

Creative Director and Founder Mo Saunders says “We know that people are missing the centre and talking face to face, but we are doing what we can to ensure that people remain connected and have things to do.  We know the power that arts has to make a positive impact on people’s lives, which is why it’s vital that we’re getting arts packs out to members and putting resources online”.

One of our members has commented positively on the provision offered by Arts Network, saying “‘I’ve been so impressed by the creative talents shown by the team in lockdown. Everybody should know where they are as a result of the obvious compassion I pick up on.'”

If you are in need of support and help, please get in touch.  To ensure we can cope with increased demand we are grateful for any donations, which can be made by contacting the organisation via its website below.

To find out more about Arts Network and subscribe to our newsletter please visit www.artsnetwork.org.uk