Creative Arts

Creative Arts BTN.jpgWe're passionate about the importance of the arts in healthcare and the difference it can make to the experiences of our service users and staff.

Our creative arts activities take place on the wards, bringing creativity in many forms to inpatients, and can include any artform such as visual art, photography, music, dance, drama, creative writing, reading for wellbeing and poetry.

Our programme and projects considers the wellbeing of the participants involved. Each participant’s contribution is highly valued and encouraged in a manner that is fair, equitable and inclusive.

WAG Stafford.jpgThe Wellbeing Art Group is delivered by local artist Mark Uttley and provides adults with an opportunity to participate in a range of creative activities.  Sessions take place fortnightly at Holmcroft Library from 1.15-2.45pm.

The sessions provide an opportunity to improve mental health and wellbeing through social interaction, developing new relationships and skills. There is no charge and people can book on to the sessions by contacting Holmcroft Library holmcroft.library@staffordshire.gov.uk, telephone 01785 253908.

The group is supported by Unseen Arts, with funding from Stafford District Arts Council's Covid Recovery Grant. 

Painting in an art workshopIn Shrewsbury the group is run by professional artist Jean Mills and takes place on Thursdays from 2 - 4pm at English Bridge Workshop, Shrewsbury.  A range of techniques are explored using different materials and equipment. 

Some projects lead to exhibitions of artwork within Trust buildings or in partnership spaces and galleries.Silk painting in art workshop

For more information please contact Jessica Kent on 01743 210048 / Jessica.kent@mpft.nhs.uk

Feedback:  Fab afternoon, really lifted my spirits - Lovely day, made me laugh, lovely people - Brilliant class, thank you.  This group keeps me sane, love it! - Thank you ever so much for having me as part of this group, it really helps.

Arts for Health workd with the team leading the Transformation Partnership within the Trust to bring additional creative activities and events to our acute wards at St George’s Hospital.

The work enabled us to deliver additional workshops and live music concerts, plus the offer of extra creative resources to inpatients, providing access to interesting, engaging and supportive creativity on all our acute wards at St George’s hospital site.

The projects included:

Maggie Hollinshead and Amy Louise-Davies worked on Brocton ward – using textiles, mixed media and other materials and techniques.

Mark Uttley and Maddy Blatherwick-Plumb on Baswich and Bromley wards – Mark has worked on the older adult wards for many years and brought a huge range of creative ideas to the inpatients there. He was joined by Maddy who is a young emerging artist – they introduced new ideas and techniques.

Tess Radcliffe on Chebsey ward. Tess is a professional artist from the region who is very much centred on drawing skills, photography, film and other media.

Mark Uttley on Norbury Ward - Artist Mark Uttley worked with inpatients on Norbury ward to create bird designs. These designs will be recreated / fabricated in vinyl / Perspex and will be attached to a delicate frame that will then hang from the atrium.

List of pages

Arts for Health Contact Details

Arts for Health - General Enquiries

artsforhealth@mpft.nhs.uk

Jessica Kent - Arts for Health Lead

Redwoods Centre, Somerby Drive,
Shrewsbury SY3 8DS

Jessica.kent@mpft.nhs.uk 
01743 210048 / 07814 752783
 

Helen Wilson - Project Worker

St. George's Hospital, Corporation Street, Stafford ST16 3AG

Helen.wilson@mpft.nhs.uk                  07964208542 / 01785221328

Owen Hurcombe - Digital & Communications Project Worker

St, George's Hospital, Corporation Street,
Stafford ST16 3AG

Owen.hurcombe@mpft.nhs.uk
07976560700

Diana Buckle - Administrator

Redwoods Centre, Somerby Drive,
Shrewsbury SY3 8DS

Diana.buckle@mpft.nhs.uk