LOCAL artists are preparing to fill the city with colour in May to promote mental health.
The Worcester City art trail aims to provide a colourful, inspiring and covid safe journey around the city, while raising awareness of mental health.
Following the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, the installations of fine art, photography, craft, murals and more will reflect ‘nature and the environment’.
Colourful exhibits will be put on display in shop windows and outdoor spaces alongside information on how to access support for your mental health.
Bringing together art, exercise and mental health, ‘Now We’re Talking with Art’ aims to highlight ways to maintain wellbeing, self-help and signpost to additional support if it’s needed.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the main providers of mental health services across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are teaming up with Worcester City Council and a host of local partners and businesses for the Worcester leg of the campaign.
They want to encourage the local community to get arty to support their mental health and wellbeing, through art based mental health resources, including mindfulness colouring sheets and live art classes.
Further events are planned for Redditch in July and Hereford in September.
Emily from Artist Club House said: “I truly believe that positivity and happiness is linked to creativity and hobbies. If I can help to inspire people to seek help and be creative that would be amazing. I have always struggled with my own mental health and part of my journey has been how being creative has helped me smile through difficult times. I would like to encourage other people to do the same and I think the NHS Now We’re Talking with Art campaign marries those ideas perfectly, I’m so excited to be a part of it and to spread awareness of all the different support you can find to help support you.”
Dawn Stallard, Team Lead within Healthy Minds, said: “There are many situations in a person’s life which can lead to stress, anxiety, low mood or depression, and sometimes there are no obvious causes but asking the question and starting a conversation with someone can make a big difference.”
You can contact the Healthy Minds teams without needing to see another health professional first. If you live in Worcestershire call 0300 013 57 27 and for Herefordshire residents call 01432 347606. Alternatively visit the Healthy Minds website for more information www.healthyminds.whct.nhs.uk.
