Smashing the stigma around mental health and celebrating recovery journeys are the themes of artwork from secure service users going on display in an exhibition this weekend.
People living with complex mental health conditions at Guild Lodge in Whittingham, Preston and the occupational therapists who support them, will take part in ‘Unlocked’ at Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington from Saturday 27 July until Sunday 15 September.
Set up by our occupational therapists and artists, Cassandra Batterby and Mark Love, the exhibition celebrates service users’ recovery journeys during their time receiving treatment and living at our secure in-patient facility, Guild Lodge.
The collection of mixed artworks feature powerful and emotive images portraying individuals’ relationships with a range of mental health conditions. Each piece illustrates the unique feelings, thoughts and frustrations of how a person with a complex mental health condition manages their daily life, and the challenges they face while living in a secure mental health facility.
Some particularly poignant comments from anonymous patients taking part in the exhibition include:
“I have never felt I was able to draw, but making art is about more than just drawing. The occupational therapists have helped me understand that, and enabled me to enjoy being creative, which helps me manage the day-to-day challenges of my condition.”
“My art sessions are my sanctuary, I have to have time making art because it helps me to deal with my everyday challenges.”
“I wanted to show people the work I have done and to show them how much it has helped me, hopefully they like it.”
The exhibition is just one example of many projects and activities occupational therapists deliver at Guild Lodge, reflecting the importance and benefit of keeping people engaged in activities and occupations that are meaningful to them.
Artist and Guild Lodge Occupational Therapy Manager, Mark Love said:
“Our exhibition is an important part of the creative pathway of treatment, it marks the culmination of a year of therapeutic interventions where service users work on building up their confidence and improving their knowledge and skills on their recovery journeys.”
The ‘Unlocked’ project is part of a wider initiative across Lancashire and South Cumbria to promote the benefits of art on mental health and wellbeing and raise awareness and understanding of complex mental health conditions.
Our occupational therapists colleagues will be hosting four creative workshops, open to the community, at the Haworth Art Gallery on Wednesday afternoons between 1pm and 3pm on 31 July, 14 August, 21 August and 4 September. If you happen to be there, you can join in.
It will be an opportunity to engage with our creative colleagues and the workshops will explore the theme of ‘imperfection’ using a minimal approach to tools and materials.
