Open Arts is a community arts and mental health service run as one of the charities managed within the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. The service has the aim of promoting positive well being and social inclusion for people with mental health difficulties and to carers who would like to engage with the wider community through the creative arts within a group setting. The courses offer an opportunity to learn new creative skills and techniques within a safe and supportive environment. No experience is necessary.

Courses are open to anyone with a mental health problem and also to carers. Courses are facilitated by a professional lead artist with support from volunteer art assistants, and held in community locations rather than clinical settings to promote social inclusion.

A representative from the local college information, guidance and advice service attends in the final weeks of the course, to signpost on to further educational and vocational opportunities, facilitating a smooth transition to maintain social inclusion. At the end of the 12 week course, a six month studio placement is offered for independent art making within the same supportive studio environment. The studio time is used to continue to develop and improve what participants learned on their 12 week course through development of their arts practice with the support of studio managers and their peers around them. Participants are also encouraged to visit a gallery with the group and take part in a workshop within the gallery space. If they take up the studio placement they have the opportunity to work towards exhibiting in local art trails and open day events.

If you would like to talk about how you might get involved with Open Arts, we’d love to hear from you. If you prefer, any health or social care worker, friend or family member can refer you. Just ask them to contact us.