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St Anne’s House is a creative and community hub grown from the ambition of local communities in St Annes and creative communities in Bristol.

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St Anne's House is a creative and community hub grown from the ambition of local communities in St Annes and creative communities in Bristol.

Here you will find creative and community projects, rooms to hire, a cooperatively run gym, play therapy, social prescribing, artist studios, co working, artist project space, theatre studios, massage therapy, wellbeing and much much more.

Our aim is to build community resilience, foster connections, grow local talent, inspire creativity, and provide a space to test out new ideas.

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We started working with communities in St Annes in 2019 through invitation to explore the creative and community potential of part of St Anne's House from the resident group that was bridging between St Mungos who were running a hostel on the ground floor and the communities of St Annes.

We worked through an Asset Based Community Development model, commissioning local resident and social practice artist to work with us to map local assets (people, places, activities) and help understand where the ambition was for the future of St Annes.

Through a process of creative projects, micro commissions, 121 conversations, surveys and group events we mapped what was happening in the area and co-designed with local people a future use vision and proposal for St Anne's House.

After much negotation with the building's owner Bristol City Council we ended up taking all three floors of St Anne's House in June 2021 and have since been using, testing and developing the site as a creative and community hub.

A core part of our model is St Anne's Action Group, a group of local residents that meet monthly to steer our work in St Annes and set the agenda for what St Annes is and will become.

Check out the standalone St Anne's House website for more details on what happens here: www.stanneshouse.org.

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St Anne's House is a creative and community hub grown from the ambition of local communities in St Annes and creative communities in Bristol.

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Creative Youth Network enables young people, no matter what their background or circumstances, to reach their own potential. We are England’s first and only organisation to receive ‘outstanding’ status - the National Youth Agency’s highest award for youth work.

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Creative Youth Network builds relationships with young people to help them reach their potential and live fulfilling lives.

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Playing Out began as a creative intervention on a street in Bristol. We still work with artists and other creative practitioners to engage the public’s imagination about street play and related issues.

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Creative street play projects - Playing Out

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Ideas for artists and other creative practitioners to engage the public’s imagination about street play and related issues

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Sparks Bristol will be open at least until December 2024, and hopefully much longer! The unique combination of artist spaces, sustainable retail, education and reuse is a world-first pilot project that we hope can be replicated in more empty buildings in high streets across the UK. Sparks is also contributing to the following city-wide improvement initatives:

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Sparks Bristol - Art & Sustainability Hub

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Sparks Bristol is an exciting new arts and sustainability hub in the heart of the city.

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Ferment is the name of our programme supporting artists and companies based in/from the South West. It has been running for more than ten years, and in that time we have worked with hundreds of artists to explore new ideas, grow their creative practice, and develop shows/projects that have gone on to tour nationally and internationally.

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LATEST NEWS FOR ARTISTS Ferment is the name of our programme supporting artists and companies based in/from the South West. It has been running for more than…

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Current projects include skills training and employment opportunities for young people, supporting community organisations across Bristol in their work, and a diverse range of creative programmes exploring issues from housing to health.

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At Knowle West Media Centre we support people to make positive changes in their lives and communities, using technology and the arts to come up with creative solutions to problems and explore new ways of doing things.

KWMC is an arts centre and charity and we've been based in South Bristol - on the Knowle West estate - since 1996.

Since those early days, our work has centred on working collaboratively with people from different backgrounds to develop new and creative models for achieving positive social change - and supporting people to develop the skills and confidence to be change-makers themselves.

Our current projects include skills training and employment opportunities for young people, supporting community organisations across Bristol in their work, and a diverse range of creative programmes exploring issues from housing to health.

We also operate The Factory, an award-winning making and training space based at Filwood Green Business Park. The Factory provides access to new digital manufacturing technologies (such as CNC routers and laser cutters), offers product design and prototyping services for clients, and delivers a range of free training courses.

Take a look at the ' Projects ' section to find out what's going on at the moment and see our projects live in action. Many of them have been replicated and learnt from elsewhere in the UK and Europe!

You can also commission us to undertake bespoke creative projects, such as graphic design, video production, and social media consultancy, and we also offer event, meeting and office space for hire within our straw-bale building.

You can read our latest Annual Report, for the period April 2020 to March 2021, either as an audio, visual or PDF version.

We look forward to welcoming you to Knowle West soon!

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Community Arts Centre Bristol - Knowle West Media Centre

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Knowle West Media Centre is a community arts centre based in Bristol. It uses digital technology and the arts to support social change.

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We currently offer Creativity for Wellbeing art courses for adults in conjunction with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. This free 12 week course aims to provide a creative outlet for people who may be going through a difficult period, who are looking for a ways to cope through art.

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Our vision for the arts is for it to be accessible to all and at the heart of people's health and wellbeing. We offer a range of community arts events and projects, as well as arts programmes that improve people's wellbeing.

We currently offer Creativity for Wellbeing art courses for adults in conjunction with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. This free 12 week course aims to provide a creative outlet for people who may be going through a difficult period, who are looking for a ways to cope through art. You can find out more about upcoming sessions by emailing queensroad@sgscol.ac.uk

Keep an eye on our website for upcoming community arts events and projects.

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Our vision for the arts is for it to be accessible to all and at the heart of people's health and wellbeing. We offer a range of community arts events and projects, as well as arts programmes that improve people's wellbeing. We currently offer Creativity for Wellbeing art courses for adults in conjunction with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.

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Our Creative Communities are bringing adults together through creativity to help support their recovery.

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Our Creative Communities are bringing adults together through creativity to help support their recovery.

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Dementia Friendly projects | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

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Dementia Friendly projects | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

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Creative Cafes are pop up cafés at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery for people living with dementia and their carers and family members. They aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the participants through creative activities and by exploring the wealth of objects and paintings at the museum.

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Posted on by Lauren MacCarthy.

by Ailsa Richardson, Engagement Officer for older people

Bristol Museums Development Trust granted £12,000 from visitor donations towards the running of future creative cafés and other community engagement projects. Every donation matters and helps to support work like this. Thank you.
£40 could cover the costs for a person with dementia to attend a Creative Café. Please consider making a donation.
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Creative cafes

Since my last blog, there's been a lot going on with the Dementia Friendly projects at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.

Creative Cafes are pop up cafés at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery for people living with dementia and their carers and family members. They aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the participants through creative activities and by exploring the wealth of objects and paintings at the museum.

Fourteen cafés have run since the project started in July 2018, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The aim is to run another 12 over the next year, thanks to your donations. Participants are invited from across the city in collaboration with the charities Alive and LinkAge, as well as the Dementia Wellbeing Service (NHS).

This year we have run sessions with poet Caleb Parkin, visiting artist Freya Gabie, Fine Art curator Jenny Gaschke and myself.

Freya Gabie was one of the artists-in-residence in our Leonardo da Vinci exhibition. Participants really enjoyed the exhibition (with the assistance of magnifying glasses) and the drawing experiments with Freya.

We also created a collective poem with Caleb and had a musical accompaniment while viewing paintings in the Old Masters gallery. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful painting collection housed in light, colourful and spacious galleries.

Many of our visitors are surprised at how much they enjoy these galleries and that they may have overlooked their existence! We have found that both carers and elders always leave very upbeat and wanting to come back next time.

Some feedback we've received:

"The level of engagement was phenomenal roun'Very happy, I like drawing. It's lovely, I'm relaxed.'(Participant) "I feel really good - because I learned a lot from the exhibition and enjoyed the drawing experiment." (Participant) d the table and in the gallery' (Bristol Culture volunteer)

ArtBox

ArtBox is currently in design and development, and is due to be launched in mid-September. It is designed for people living with dementia who cannot currently visit the museum due to the seriousness of their condition and challenges to their health.

We are making four activity boxes that draw on the activity sessions in the Creative Cafes. They are designed to be sensory, tactile, interactive, playful and accessible.

The boxes will be made available by staff in the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) and in care homes in the surrounding area via the charity Alive.

In this way, the work we do in our Creative Cafés here in the museum can make its way out into the community.
Find out more about ArtBox.
Thanks to the design and fabrication team: Lisa Cole (artist/designer), Chris Ingram (designer for The Factory, Knowle West Media Centre), Caleb Parkin (poet), Kate Uzzell (textile artist) and Ailsa Richardson, (Engagement Officer for Older People).

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Dementia Friendly projects | Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

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Ailsa Richardson discusses how the museum's dementia friendy projects are going, including events such as Creative Cafés and the development of ArtBox.

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Delivering fresh insight and space to disrupt and discuss – our regular programme of workshops, masterclasses and talks give you the inside track on all aspects of the music industry, with the chance to learn, collaborate and give your next idea lift off.

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Creative development for the music industry professionals of the future

Artistic Development

Workshops, Masterclasses & Talks

Delivering fresh insight and space to disrupt and discuss - our regular programme of workshops, masterclasses and talks give you the inside track on all aspects of the music industry, with the chance to learn, collaborate and give your next idea lift off.

Stay tuned for programme announcements and resources coming soon.

Live Performances & Showcases

Live and direct from stages across the city, we clear the floor for the next generation of artists to step up. From showcases of new work, to support slots, to full multi-stage takeovers of our spaces - check back soon for opportunities and to discover the freshest new talent in Bristol.

Our commissioning programme supports those ready to take their creative idea and make it a reality with investment, mentorship and space to develop and perform. Keep your eyes peeled for details of our latest commissioning round soon.

Our approach

The Bristol Beacon team is full of people who love music, and we're here to make space for the scene to grow in new and inspiring ways. We want to play our part in supporting the future of live music in Bristol - working together to open up, diversify and create opportunities for more incredible music in our city.

Artists, managers, promoters, festival organisers of the future - throughout the year there will be a range of opportunities to connect through our programmes and invent together.

Our Story

We have been championing and investing in creativity through a range of programmes over the years. Our Switch series of events in 2016 saw Q&As and live performances from the likes of Lady Leshurr and Swindle. Alongside panel discussions and masterclasses, Our Multi-Track programme saw three cohorts of emerging Bristol artists take part in the Home Grown Heat talent development scheme, providing access to industry professionals, studio space and live performance opportunities including our annual showcases headlined by the likes of Ms Banks and Novelist.

As a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner and thanks to funding from Youth Music, we have also connected local artists with support slots with national touring acts, as well as making national partnerships with the likes of Frequencies, Take Note and Elevate Us to provide opportunities beyond the bounds of Bristol.

The future

We are continuing to develop and grow our support for creatives, with annual programmes such as Future Proof providing in-depth mentoring and development, alongside one-off and short-run initiatives and opportunities.

Through innovative partnerships, we want to see a thriving, diverse scene in Bristol and are always on the lookout for new collaborations.

At the heart of our plans in the coming years is the opening of a brand new performance and learning space in the transformed Bristol Beacon. Our 'Cellars' space will be kitted out with practice rooms, mac suites, a live room, recording studio and dedicated 150-capacity performance space - a collaborative hub for creatives to conceive, develop and explode new ideas onto the scene.

Stay in the loop

Sign up for email updates and find out more about the latest opportunities and how we're helping develop the artists of the future.

Scene & Heard

If you consider yourself an emerging music creative in the city - whether that be an artist, promoter, or aspiring manager - we want to hear from you about how our programmes and spaces might best support you. Take part in our Scene & Heard survey now.

As a thank you, you'll be entered into a draw to win £100 worth of Bristol Beacon gig tickets and Bandcamp vouchers.

This survey has now closed

Thank you for everyone who took part. Your input will help shape our artistic programme and how we support emerging music creatives in the city.

Project supporters and funders

The project is supported by Youth Music, PRS Foundation and Help Musicians.

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A music charity, renowned venue and award-winning music education hub. We're here to help make space for music every day, with everyone.

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Bristol+Bath Creative R+D - Creative Economies Lab

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Bristol+Bath Creative R+D - Creative Economies Lab

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This first-of-a-kind collaboration between the region’s four universities – UWE Bristol, Bath Spa, The University of Bath and The University of Bristol – and digital creativity centre Watershed, aims to break down the doors, connecting the worlds of university research and creative business to develop a shared vision for tomorrow’s creative industries.

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Bristol+Bath Creative R+D is a £6.8m collaboration that aims to raise the bar for the region's creative industries. The five-year programme seeks to forge connections and partnerships in Bristol and Bath; sharing knowledge, and creating crossovers and even greater opportunities in what's already one of the most vibrant clusters in the UK.

This first-of-a-kind collaboration between the region's four universities - UWE Bristol, Bath Spa, The University of Bath and The University of Bristol - and digital creativity centre Watershed, aims to break down the doors, connecting the worlds of university research and creative business to develop a shared vision for tomorrow's creative industries.

This programme is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as part of their Creative Industries Clusters Programme.

Related Content

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Bristol+Bath Creative R+D - Creative Economies Lab

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Bristol+Bath Creative R+D is a £6.8m collaboration that aims to raise the bar for the region's creative industries. The five-year programme seeks to forge connections and partnerships in Bristol and Bath; sharing knowledge, and creating crossovers and even greater opportunities in what's already one of the most vibrant clusters in the UK.

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Bristol Community Arts are a local charity which aims to improve personal wellbeing through art, mentorship, and education. They provide a range of unique creative education opportunities for the local community, prioritising under-privileged adults and young people (14+).

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Topics: Children & Young People, Social and Wellbeing Activities and Community Groups

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Art Works is an arts-centred wellbeing project, acting to ensure creativity is accessible to all young people.

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Art Works is an arts-centred wellbeing project, acting to ensure creativity is accessible to all young people.

Signing up for Art Works means you will have the opportunity to work on some of the newest and most exciting art projects Bristol has to offer. OTR believes in the power of art to support your emotional wellbeing, amplify your voice and strengthen your community. So, Art Works teams up with artists and galleries across Bristol and South Glos who we think will support you with exactly that.

Our projects are always changing, but in the past we've worked with music, clay, dance, paint, collage, photography, virtual realities and more. You don't need any creative experience to sign up for Art Works and all our projects are FREE!
We're fortunate to receive a high volume of volunteering offers at Art Works and we're really grateful for the interest. We'd be really interested to hear about volunteering offers by filling out this form.
This is a great space to get creative whether you've tried it before or not. Each month we'll be working with a new material but if you don't fancy it you can do your own thing and use any of the materials in the room that excite you. How you participate is totally up to you!

You can find out about any and all of the creative projects going on at OTR here by chatting with Isla or our lovely team of Art Works volunteers. We're here each week in person to chat about any thoughts, worries or questions you have.

If you've never been before and are feeling nervous, if you have any access requirements, or if you'd just like to have a chat before coming along, you can call Isla at 07539 751 745 or email at Isla@otrbristol.org.uk

11-25 year olds
⏰ Wednesdays 4.30-6.30pm
📍 Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street, Bedminster BS3 4EA
We run a monthly Book Club which, in collaboration with Give a Book, provides free books to keep and discuss.

The OTR Book Club is a safe place for young people to gather and meet like-minded book-lovers, as well as read titles they may not have previously considered.

The Book Club runs on the last Monday of each month. Members can suggest 3 books each, which run in a Doodle poll for the group to vote on our monthly book.

OTR Sounds is an online session for young people aged 16-25, offering space to come together and listen to music. We meet every other week on a Monday evening to make collaborative playlists and chat (or type) about our music choices.

Nature Works, Sport Works, and Art Works sit within OTR's Community Partnerships Team. These projects are designed to offer you an alternative approach to mental health care. We want to offer a wide breadth of services to ensure that you can feel empowered and in control of your health and wellbeing, on your own terms.

We recognise that some young people face barriers to accessing mental health support, and so we actively encourage and invite young people from working class backgrounds, young people with disabilities, young men, young people with experience of care, young people for whom English is a second language, LGBTQ+ young people and young people of colour to our service. Please let us know if you are struggling to access support, for whatever reason, and we will try to support you to overcome those barriers. For example, we can work with interpreters, support you with route planning to get to the project, or offer additional emotional support.

We look forward to welcoming you to one of our projects soon!

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An arts-centred wellbeing project, acting to ensure creativity is accessible to all. We have many different projects running throughout the year.

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Co-produced by The Arts and Culture Programme, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and Super Culture.

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Co-produced by The Arts and Culture Programme, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and Super Culture.

On 1 April 2020, two hospital trusts joined to form University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW). Super Culture and the Arts Programme at UHBW have worked closely together to develop new creative initiatives in Weston-super-Mare that support regional well-being and that have national impact. Re-imagining Weston's history as a health resort for the 21st Century and shining a light on provision that exists year-round in the town to help people feel good.

Weston Arts + Health Weekender 2023

To mark this the 75th anniversary of the NHS, the annual Weston Arts + Health Festival returned to the town 29 September - 1 October 2023 for a weekend of celebratory events, with a diverse programme of events themed around 75 years of extraordinary stories in a special Happy Birthday homage to the NHS.

Taking place at favourite locations and outdoor spaces in the town and at Weston General Hospital, there was something for everyone to enjoy - from swimming, rowing, singing, theatre, poetry, yoga, creative workshops and community artwork to a series of exhilarating coastal walks in partnership with Natural England to mark the launch of the new North Somerset stretch of the King Charles III Coastal Path.

On Sunday 1 October, local NHS stories featured within a new audio commission and bespoke soundscape created for SW!M 75. SW!M 75 is a live synchro inspired performance, co-produced with Diverse City and supported by National Grid's Community Matters Fund and it showcased Weston's newly established Super Synchro group, who made a stunning routine to complement real stories by NHS workers.

Co-Directed by Claire Hodgson and Deborah Paige

Choreographed by Claire Hodgson

Audio Created by Deborah Paige

Sound by Harry Bassett

Weston Arts + Health Festival 2022

Building on the success of the 2021 festival, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) and Culture Weston once again collaborated in October to produce Weston Arts + Health Festival 2022. This year the festival focused on 'Global Weston', celebrating the power of creativity and culture for connection and showcasing Weston as a vibrant and diverse place to live and work.

Central to the festival was a photography project celebrating the unique stories of Weston General Hospital's many and valued staff. The exhibition was installed at Princess Royal Square for the festival and throughout October. Many visited to share in the stories of some of the fantastic people who care for the community of Weston.

From 5-9 October, Weston's parks, allotments, cafes and seafront were alive with bandstand performances, pop-up poetry, singing trails, community feasts, synchronised swimming, outdoor craft as well as a special programme of events at Weston General Hospital. With something for everyone, Weston Arts + Health Festival 2022 explored and showcased the impact of creativity on health and wellbeing. In the Arts Council England's Creative Health & Wellbeing plan, published this year, Chair Sir Nicholas Serota shares that "by ensuring everyone in the country has access to high quality creative and cultural activities, they will, in turn, lead happier and healthier lives."
Click here to download the Arts + Health 2022 programme

Weston Arts + Health Week 2021

Thousands of people in Weston and throughout the area joined in the second Weston Arts + Health Week as over 45 live and online activities were hosted by the town in a packed programme of events that took place throughout Weston, in health and care settings and in green, open spaces.

Presented in partnership between Culture Weston and the Arts & Culture Programme at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) from 18 to 26 September, at the heart of the pioneering collaboration, was Luke Jerram's stunning artwork 'In Memoriam'. It was the Festival's privilege to commission this artwork which toured the UK and was also hailed as a cultural highlight of the year by Darren Henley CEO Arts Council England. For more information see https://memoriamartwork.com

Situated on the beach, the poignant installation of over 100 flags created from hospital bedsheets provided a temporary memorial for the public to visit and remember all that we have lost from the Covid-19 pandemic and pay tribute to the NHS.

During the nine-day event, In Memoriam and its stunning coastal backdrop was the setting for a series of immersive performances, including a fire-lit NHS procession and the soothing sounds of Costanzi Consort chamber choir on the opening weekend to a festival finale filled with dance, poetry and song.

The premiere of a new dance commission, created and performed amongst the flags by the internationally renowned 'Studio Wayne McGregor', alongside dance students from Weston College took place on Friday 24 September in front of a mesmerised audience and to the haunting soundtrack 'A Moment in Time', composed by Dan Jones and featuring amongst the talent, Massive Attack and Portishead. An inspiring light installation 'Recovery Poems' by Emergency Exit Arts gave pause for thought as people stopped to reflect upon the emotive words.

Boredom Buster

Thousands of adult NHS patients across the UK have enjoyed a dose of creativity thanks to our 'Boredom Buster' publications, delivered to hospitals all over the UK.

Two 48-page tabloid style newspapers, inspired by the beloved Summer Annual formula, were produced for the NHS National Performance Advisory group for Arts, Design and Heritage in Hospitals, by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) in partnership with Culture Weston.

The Summer 2020 bumper first edition is packed with articles, activities and images designed to boost mood and alleviate anxiety and provides an individual, interactive kit of creative items. As well as reading, patients are encouraged to immerse themselves in drawing, writing, tearing and folding to make each copy their own.

'Boredom Buster's' superpower is its eclectic range of contributions from famous artists, arts therapists and professional creative health specialists. The wealth of contributors include Antony Gormley, Martin Parr, Sarah Hickson, David Dimbleby, Jeremy Deller, Mark Ravenhill, Patrick Gale, Kalpna Woolf, Luke Jerram, Wayne McGregor, Manoj Malde, Dr Phil Hammond and Dr Lizzie Burns, founder of the 'Anti-boredom Campaign'.

The 'Boredom Buster' Annual can be dipped in and out of and contains a variety of themed pages to creatively engage a broad demographic of adult patients, with spreads on history, art, science, poetry, writing, photography, fashion, music, dance, travel, food, outdoors and well-being.

No Summer Annual would be complete without a healthy dose of seaside air. Martin Parr's iconic photographs bring ice cream and knotted handkerchiefs, Kalpna Woolf's picnic pages take us to coastlines around the world, whilst the history of Donald McGill's saucy postcards might raise an eyebrow or two.

There is plenty more besides to entertain. Play travel games, read aloud from Mark Ravenhill's playlet, trace around your fingers, fold an origami heart or tear out Antony Gormley's string of paper figures. Green-fingered readers can dream up their ideal garden with a bit of help from Chelsea Flower Show designer Manoj Malde, potential writers can read up on novelist Patrick Gale's top tips or feel the flow of poetry in the NHS anthology 'These Are The Hands'.

Line up your bedside view with Alan Lightman's look at Symmetry; discover the secret of good health with Dr Phil Hammond's daily prescription of CLANGERS; dance the Macarena whilst sitting down; sing along to Bastille or hum your own top Tropical tunes. Salute street artist Stewy's artwork of NHS hero Aneurin Bevan and marvel at the Universe with Luke Jerram's Moon and Gaia.

'Boredom Buster' Two

Bringing a blast of the great outdoors to hospital bedsides the length and breadth of the country, including all ten of the UHBW sites, the 48 page, Spring 2021 issue of Boredom Buster's pages brim with articles, images and activities that provide talking points and windows to the natural world, drawing upon extensive research that proves a connection between nature and good health.

Free to patients, 'Boredom Buster' Two was produced in response to growing demand following the successful launch of the first 'Boredom Buster' newspaper, of which more than 40,000 copies were delivered to patients and residents through the national network of arts programmers with the publication receiving widespread acclaim and feedback.

Anna Farthing, former Arts Programme Director, UHBW, said: "The pandemic has shown us that individual creativity can support psychological health and wellbeing, even when the circumstances of our physical health are beyond our control. The 'Boredom Buster' format invites people to express themselves by making over its pages so that each copy becomes personalised. The engaging activities have been carefully researched and curated to provide talking points, encouraging meaningful connection with other people and evoking sensory memories of the natural world. We hope that for long stay patients and care home residents, Boredom Buster will feel like a breath of fresh air."

In 'Boredom Buster' Two readers are invited to take part in First Site artist activities with Grayson Perry, Mark Titchner and Bob and Roberta Smith; radiate in the colours of Damien Hirst's 'Butterfly Rainbow'; climb a mountain with Black Girls Hike; embrace the positive power of Biophilia with Great Ormond Street Hospital; explore classic paintings with Cambridge Museums; imagine historical adventures with English Heritage, and remember loved ones with Luke Jerram's 'In Memoriam', an outdoor artwork commissioned in 2020 by Culture Weston and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston.

The newspaper features an engaging mix of content covering an array of topics including nature, art, science, literature, history, poetry, yoga, wellbeing, origami and more. Designed to appeal to a wide demographic of people, it provides interactive pages to encourage conversation and creativity, enhance cognitive skills, boost mood, alleviate anxiety and help keep patients occupied. As well as reading, patients can personalise their individual copies by drawing, writing, tearing and folding their way through the pages.

This 'Boredom Buster' newspaper was distributed to NHS Foundation Trusts and Hospital Charities throughout the country, including Bristol, Weston, Bath, Taunton, Yeovil, Sheffield, Derby, York, Coventry, Cambridge, Oxford, Liverpool and Kent, and in London at Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London, the Royal Brompton and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. It was also delivered to care homes in Weston, as part of Culture Weston and UHBW's on-going Arts + Health programme in the town.

The Weston Arts + Health Weekender!

This inaugural festival was a celebration of wholeness and togetherness; the joining of two hospital Trusts to form University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust on 1st April, and the launch of Culture Weston.

At at time of new beginnings and new partnerships across placemaking, the arts and healthcare, the festival looked back at Weston's truly super history as a health resort, celebrated the many and varied opportunities to get creative that are on offer now, and looked forward to establishing Weston as a beacon for Arts and Health in the future.

The Weston Arts + Health Weekender was designed as a whole community collaboration. Creative workshops, walks and talks, performances music, medical seminars, hospital based arts activities and much more, magically mingling across the town to create a unique programme with something for everyone.
Click here to download brochure
Whilst lockdown due to Covid-19 meant the festival could not go ahead in its original form, we instead launched with an online event on 3 April 2020, and events such as Boredom Buster and Poetry + Health sprung from the Weekender partnership to maintain a spirit of creative connection whatever the circumstances.
Click here to see the webinar Click here to see the Creative Conversation Click here for a list of links and resources Click here to view Arts + Health events

At home with culture

Many of us feel isolated and lonely at points in our lives, perhaps never more so than in the challenging times wrought by the pandemic. Luckily we live in a digital age where all sorts of creative projects can be enjoyed and easily accessed from anywhere. Here is a series of short videos from some of the brilliant artists who were part of The Weston Arts + Health Weekender programme. They are mainly self-filmed on mobile phones in lounges, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. We hope they will continue to spread a little happiness and encourage you to find pleasure in being creative at home.
See our digital content

Poetry + Health

The 'Poetry + Health' event on 26 June 2020 celebrated the success of the These Are The Hands NHS Poetry Anthology, the first poetry collection to feature poems by NHS staff -
"A wonderful anthology to celebrate the NHS, which is itself the best poem a country has ever written" - Stephen Fry.

The online poetry evening was curated by Beth Calverley, founder of 'The Poetry Machine', Poet in Residence at UHBW and contributor to the These Are The Hands collection. She was joined by fellow UHBW colleagues and poets also reading their entries from the anthology.

Katrina Curtis, Respiratory Physician at UHBW and Rachel McCoubrie, Consultant in Palliative Medicine and lead wellbeing consultant for doctors and dentists, UHBW.

Other poets taking part were Helen Sheppard, a Bristol-based poet and former Neonatal Midwife also published in These Are The Hands; Dr Elizabeth Osmond, Neonatologist and facilitator of a staff creative writing group for reflective practice sessions, UHBW; Stephen Lightbown, a Bristol-based poet, champion of disability rights and Director of Comms at North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and Bob Walton, a published poet who co-runs the 'Chapter 1' creative writing group in Weston in association with Theatre Orchard, free, open to all sessions .

"'Poetry + Health' is a celebration of Weston and Bristol based poets who blend the worlds of poetry and health. As Poet in Residence for UHBW, I see first-hand the benefit that poetry can have on people who are isolated, anxious and unwell, as well as the joy and confidence it can bring to people from all walks of life." Beth Calverley
Poetry + Health Resources List

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The arts are good for you, it's official.

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Southmead Hospital Public Art Programme - Art and the Public Realm Bristol

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Southmead Hospital Public Art Programme - Art and the Public Realm Bristol

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The Southmead Hospital Public Art Programme was commissioned by Carillion as part of the development of Bristol’s new £430m super hospital in Southmead. The £1.1 million arts programme builds on research which clearly demonstrates the direct benefits for patients of incorporating visual and performing arts into the hospital environment to create therapeutic environments which improve the wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

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The public art programme follows on from a public art strategy for the hospital produced by project leaders and curators Willis Newson in 2007. Underpinning the project is a close collaboration between North Bristol NHS Trust and its arts programme Fresh Arts, architects Building Design Partnership (BDP), Carillion and Willis Newson. This close collaboration enabled Willis Newson creatively to integrate the public art with the architecture of the building.

The outcome of the programme was the development of six artists' commissions across the building and landscape for patients, staff and the wider community. Installation of the work of the six commissioned artists began in September 2013 and was completed in October 2015. The commissioned artists were Tobias Rehberger who created a new work for the buildings three giant atria, Laura Ford, who created 5 new sculptures across the exterior landscape, Jacqueline Poncelet who developed a series of spaces in the medical day gardens, Peter Randall Page who created a new water feature, Emily Golden Twomey, who created works for the children wards, and Jaime Hayon who's series of 3 sculpture forms occupy the three courtyards that adjoin the large internal atria.

Exhibitions by local schools and artists' groups are also shown within the hospital in specially created changing gallery spaces offering a changing programme of works.

To mark the opening, a three-day Fresh Arts Festival was held in October 2014 celebrating the role that the arts are playing in bringing the building to life and connecting to the communities who use it. Events included a writer in residence working with patients and visitors, staff wellbeing workshops, live music on wards and in waiting rooms, performances by local choirs, local knitting groups coming together to demonstrate the therapeutic nature of knitting while creating a special installation for the hospital entrance, printmaking workshops run by a local studio group and the Emergency Poet, a poetry on prescription service open to all.

A live theatre show was also programmed which enabled participants to share memories and tell stories of working at the old Southmead and Frenchay Hospitals collected during creative writing workshops for staff run by three local artists.

The final day of the Festival was marked by a Speed Derby in the hospital atrium - the culmination of a series of workshops to help staff teams from across both old sites come together to identify with and take ownership of their new working environment. During the workshops, led by artists Assemble and Join, staff designed and created their own mini cars to race on a specially created track built around the building.

Willis Newson was advised by Theresa Bergne of  Field Art Projects  on the selection of three of the artists, resulting in the appointment of Laura Ford, Jaime Hayon and Tobias Rehberger.
Southmead Hospital Bristol is a £430m new hospital for Bristol developed by the NHS Trust and PFI developers Carillion. The hospital is an 800 bed acute hospital built on the existing Southmead site. The public arts programme led by Willis Newson was part of the PFI initiative and built on research which clearly demonstrates the direct benefits for patients of incorporating visual and performing arts into the hospital environment. Willis Newson Willis Newson is a leading Bristol-based independent arts consultancy specialising in creative approaches to improving health and wellbeing.  It develops & delivers public art strategies for new builds and refurbishments,  manages public engagement programmes, offers an affordable design service for healthcare and provides advice and guidance on using art & design to create healthy environments. Willis Newson was established in 2001 and has since carried out over 200 projects for more than 31 NHS Trusts, as well as working on projects for private healthcare clients, contractors and architects.

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Southmead Hospital Public Art Programme - Art and the Public Realm Bristol

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The public art programme follows on from a public art strategy for the hospital produced by project leaders and curators Willis Newson in 2007. Underpinning the project is a close collaboration between North Bristol NHS Trust and its arts programme Fresh Arts, architects Building Design Partnership (BDP), Carillion and Willis Newson.

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Art Shed is an art course for people with low-level mental health issues that uses museum exhibits to inspire creativity and collaboration.

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Art Shed is an art course for people with low-level mental health issues that uses museum exhibits to inspire creativity and collaboration.

Meeting every two weeks in one of M Shed's dockside studios, participants explore new artistic techniques in a relaxed and supportive environment. The course is open to those who have previously attended a prescribed arts for health course. If you're unsure whether you're eligible, do please get in touch.

Evaluation of Art Shed (formally known as Shine) by psychology students at UWE showed that participants feel more positive and energetic following asession.

'Even when I'm feeling low I still want to get here and to do these things cos I know it's going to help me. And it does perk me up at the end of the day.' - participant

'It's been nice to be in a supportive space, meeting like-minded people in a creative setting.' - participant

Autism Friendly

We work with Bristol Autism Support to ensure our staff understand and can respond to the needs and expectations of families and individuals with autism. You can borrow a free 'Little Bag of Calm' from reception at M Shed and a visual guide to help plan a visit is now available.

We can help to arrange visits for groups who may face other barriers to visiting our sites. Please get in touch if you feel we can help your organisation or have any questions for us.

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We believe museums can play an important role in helping alleviate social isolation and improving personal wellbeing.

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The Human Nature Project is designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, increase resilience, and to help people make tangible improvements to their lives.

Rather than focusing on illness, the Human Nature Project presents mental health as an asset to actively invest in.

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THE HAPPINESS PROJECT was an arts-based intervention, promote good mental health in the wider Bristol community.

AIMS + OBJECTIVES:
Using evaluation outcomes to develop an ongoing project.
Creating and employ a robust evaluation framework.
Supporting people with mental health problems.
Providing an early intervention facility.
Promoting good mental health.

Each of the ten 2-hour group workshops involved presentation of scientific research findings in to the habits and behaviours that increase protective factors for mental health. Presentation was followed by group discussion and a related creative activity. Participants were encouraged to follow up attendance by taking 'Next Steps' i.e. implementing their learning in their daily lives.

In addition to group workshops, the Happiness Project provided a signposting service that helped participants identify free and low cost cultural opportunities in Bristol that they could engage with for further investment in wellbeing. The project was delivered with support of 60 volunteers, 100% of whose initial contact with the project was as participants.

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Our projects help people with mental health issues to make tangible improvements to their lives.

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Southmead Hospital Bristol: Public Art Programme

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Southmead Hospital Bristol: Public Art Programme

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Working in partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust and their arts programme Fresh Arts, Willis Newson managed a £1.1m public art programme for the new Southmead Hospital Bristol that shows how involving high calibre artists working alongside the hospital community can create therapeutic environments which improve the wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

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Working in partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust and their arts programme Fresh Arts, Willis Newson managed a £1.1m public art programme for the new Southmead Hospital Bristol that shows how involving high calibre artists working alongside the hospital community can create therapeutic environments which improve the wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors.

Nationally and internationally recognised artists created work to animate spaces and create special places within the hospital building and grounds. Pieces of art provide moments of reflection or distraction, lift the mood, or provoke emotional responses that encourage empathy and understanding.

"The art at Southmead Hospital Bristol helps to create a more aesthetically pleasing environment, which is important for people's sense of wellbeing. There are special places where people can have a quiet moment for reflection; there are things to help you feel more cheerful and things to comfort you. The art is helping to make Southmead Hospital a better place to be for patients, visitors and staff." Andrea Young, Chief Executive, North Bristol NHS Trust

The arts programme is a small part of North Bristol NHS Trust's £430 million Southmead Hospital Bristol Private Finance Initiative (PFI) development. It builds on research which clearly demonstrates the direct benefits for patients of incorporating visual and performing arts into the hospital environment.

Underpinning the project is a close collaboration between North Bristol NHS Trust and its arts programme Fresh Arts, architects Building Design Partnership (BDP), the commissioned artists, Carillion and Willis Newson. This close collaboration enabled Willis Newson creatively to integrate the public art with the architecture of the building.

The building and surrounding grounds features the work of six artists as part of a broader public art programme which involves patients, staff and the wider community, which also included particpatory artworks. A series of exhibitions by local schools and artists' groups are shown within the hospital in specially created changing gallery spaces. Willis Newson also supported the creation of an ongoing arts programme and the Fresh Arts Festival.
6 Installations Jacqueline Poncelet
British artist Jacqueline Poncelet was commissioned to create a series of garden screens to provide privacy and space for quiet conversation in the Medical Day Gardens, an area which is only accessible to patients and staff.

She created a sequence of stainless steel free-standing screens depicting a pattern of ginkgo leaves, together with seating arrangements. The screens cast shadows, making patches of dappled light and provide spaces in which patients and staff may simply sit in privacy or engage with nature. The softly polished surfaces reflect ambient colour, subtly changing as the light moves over them.
Laura Ford
British artist Laura Ford created a series of new landmark artworks across the Southmead Hospital Bristol landscape. 'Patient Patients' are life-size bronze animals which welcome and draw people through the hospital site along key axes to the main entrance. They also contribute to the unique sense of identity for the new building and grounds.

A bear with a sore back, a prairie dog with an injured neck and an elephant with a lump in his trunk will be seen in the Lime Tree Park approach leading to the main entrance of the new hospital from Southmead Road. On the Square, outside the main entrance, will be a lion with a bandaged paw. Three monkey sculptures have been installed near the entrance to the Emergency Department on Dorian Way where they sit nursing their injured limbs.

In creating the artworks Ford's aim was to create memorable characters that would become 'familiar friends' to hospital users and the public.
Tobias Rehberger
German artist Tobias Rehberger created a large-scale light sculpture for the main concourse of the new building. The sculpture is inspired by the idea of time and consists of 78 suspended neon elements separated into three sculpture groupings which function as binary clocks.

Each neon element is controlled by a computer and turns on and off according to the exact time of day. This helps to give patients a sense of time passing and also helps to create a welcoming, modern space for patients and staff.
Ally Wallace
British artist Ally Wallace was commissioned to develop a new work for the Welled Courtyard of the new building. His work, 'Coloured Discs' is a bold and simple sculpture that introduces composition and colour into the planted landscape, creating visual interest for patients, staff and visitors who can see the courtyard from many of the hospital spaces.

The discs' coloured surfaces are illuminated by ambient natural light and appear to change according to the viewer's position and the nature of the light itself.
Jaime Hayon
Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon developed a series of new works to animate and connect three internal courtyards within the new Southmead Hospital Bristol. 'Mon Cirque', a series of sculptural groupings, has been devised to be viewed from ward blocks, consulting areas and other spaces situated around the courtyards.The ceramic vase-like forms are fun and functional, unique and unexpected.

The works have been designed to integrate with the landscape so that they animate these enclosed spaces, creating an element of surprise which brings these non-accessible spaces to life.
Peter Randall-Page
British artist Peter Randall-Page was commissioned to create a water feature for the Medical Day Gardens to encourage and enable quiet contemplation and reflection. The water feature Randall-Page created is hand-carved from a naturally eroded boulder sourced from Dartmoor. It features a carved rippling pattern in low relief and a central hole allowing the water to flow out across the entire surface, creating a peaceful impression on the viewer.

Participatory Artworks
As part of the development of Southmead Hospital, artists Davis & Jones were commissioned to establish a Staff Engagement Programme to explore and document the process of change accompanying the new development, to build relationships and encourage a sense of pride and ownership of the new space.

A thorough research approach was undertaken which included interviews with staff, spending time at the hospital and shadowing people whose job role involved moving across the two sites (e.g. porters/security).

Within this process the artists then curated a programme of projects and interventions using various artforms to engage the whole hospital community, which aimed to be intriguing and provocative, to start conversations and to create shared memories.

For example, 'Moveable Feasts' involved a pop-up breakfast tent serving food to workers at the start and end of their shifts, which gave the artists an opportunity to engage them in conversations about the transition. And 'Move' saw a film maker, photographer and oral historian working with staff across existing sites to document the move, collecting stories and memories, photographing the old buildings, documenting the move itself and then revisiting staff once they had settled in the new hospital.

The photographs and quotes from staff now form an exhibition that runs from the main atrium of the new building through a link corridor to A&E. This work, capturing the care and commitment of the staff, is a favourite with staff, patients and visitors alike. It shows the human face of the hospital and values the many unsung heroes that keep the Trust running.

Willis Newson also responded to staff requests for artwork to be installed in the Paediatric Minor Injuries Unit within the Emergency Department of the new hospital. Bristol illustrator Emily Golden Twomey was commissioned to produce friendly and colourful wall graphics for this children's area, in order to improve the patient experience for younger people in a stressful and busy part of the hospital.
Fresh Arts
Fresh Arts is the ongoing arts programme for North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT). It was initially devised and established by Willis Newson to help improve patient and staff experience at the old hospital sites as part of the public art strategy for NBT. After managing the programme for a couple of years we recruited an Arts Programme Manager for NBT who maintains and extends the Fresh Arts programme across Southmead and Cossham Hospitals. During the development of the new Southmead Hospital Bristol site we commissioned the participatory Staffe Engagement Programme and created the Fresh Arts Festival as a way to celebrate the new building and the culture of care and creativity that was being developed.
Read more about Fresh Arts here Read more about the Fresh Arts Festival here

"Southmead Hospital merits being a stop on the grand tour of the world's notable hospital facilities, along with Rikshospitalet in Oslo and the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands." Ken Schwarz, architectural advisor to North Bristol NHS Trust

Willis Newson was advised by Theresa Bergne of Field Art Projects on the selection of three of the artists, resulting in the appointment of Laura Ford, Jaime Hayon and Tobias Rehberger.

The discs' coloured surfaces are illuminated by ambient natural light and appear to change according to the viewer's position and the nature of the light itself.

"We have a successful, active arts programme that has begun to reap benefits for patients. Art in hospitals improves patient satisfaction, their experience of being in hospital and, ultimately, their wellbeing. That has to be a good thing for patients, staff and the wider community."

Sue Jones
Director of Nursing and Quality, North Bristol NHS Trust

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Southmead Hospital Bristol: Public Art Programme

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Willis Newson is the UK's leading arts and health consultancy. We use art and creativity to support wellbeing, working with health, community and corporate clients ...

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We are developing an art and wellbeing programme (a series of creative sessions or workshops) for schools that could help prevent mental health issues in young people. We would like to talk to creative therapists and other mental health professionals so we can better understand what would and wouldn’t work for an art and wellbeing programme.

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'Exploring what will and what won't work for a school art programme aiming to prevent anxiety and depression'

Who can take part?

We are looking for creative therapists and mental health professionals who work in or with UK secondary schools with young people aged 11-12 years old. This can include art therapists, play therapists, educational psychologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, social workers, link workers and many more job roles.

About the project

We are developing an art and wellbeing programme (a series of creative sessions or workshops) for schools that could help prevent mental health issues in young people. We would like to talk to creative therapists and other mental health professionals so we can better understand what would and wouldn't work for an art and wellbeing programme.

We aim to:

Explore the potential barriers to delivering and sustaining an art programme aimed at preventing anxiety and depression in UK secondary schools

Better understand how these barriers can be overcome/avoided

Inform the development of an art and wellbeing programme aimed at preventing student mental health issues

This study has received ethical approval from the University of Bristol Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics committee (ref 14010) and Bristol City Council (ref 2023-015).

What's involved

The study involves sharing your views in a focus group with other mental health professionals who work closely with secondary schools.

We are holding three in person focus groups:

Focus group 1: Saturday 25th November 10:30am-12:30pm at St Paul's Learning Centre (BS2 8XJ)

Focus group 2: Thursday 7th December 6pm-8pm at The Park Centre Kingswood (BS15 4AR)

Focus group 3: Tuesday 12th December 10:30am-12:30pm at St Anne's House (BS4 4AB)

All participants will receive a £30 voucher and certificate of research participation (to evidence CPD) as a thank you.

For more information or to let us know you are interested in taking part, please visit: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/socs/focus-group-reg-of-interest-creative-therapists-mh-professionals or contact Naomi Warne and the Create for Confidence team ( create-for-confidence@bristol.ac.uk).

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We are looking for creative therapists and mental health professionals who work in or with UK secondary schools with young people aged 11-12 years old . This can include art therapists, play therapists, educational psychologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, social workers, link workers and many more job roles.

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Public Art Online Health Case Studies - Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

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Public Art Online Health Case Studies - Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

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The new Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, opened in 2001 and dedicated to the care of children and their families across the south west of England, marks a milestone in the field of arts in healthcare. The creation of a purpose-built new children’s hospital created a rare opportunity in the UK to involve artists at the concept design stage of a major healthcare building. The new hospital is the product of an extensive programme of work, incorporating research concerning innovative ways of funding the project – £11million had to be raised through a public fundraising programme- and extensive investigation – both local and international – into what a world class children’s hospital might be in the 21st century. The extent of consultation with staff, patients, parents etc. was on an unprecedented scale with far reaching preliminary patient surveys and over forty user groups contributing to the design process.

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Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

Location: Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK
Artists: Ray Smith, Eva Elsner, Annie Lovejoy
Overview

The new Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, opened in 2001 and dedicated to the care of children and their families across the south west of England, marks a milestone in the field of arts in healthcare. The creation of a purpose-built new children's hospital created a rare opportunity in the UK to involve artists at the concept design stage of a major healthcare building. The new hospital is the product of an extensive programme of work, incorporating research concerning innovative ways of funding the project - £11million had to be raised through a public fundraising programme- and extensive investigation - both local and international - into what a world class children's hospital might be in the 21st century. The extent of consultation with staff, patients, parents etc. was on an unprecedented scale with far reaching preliminary patient surveys and over forty user groups contributing to the design process.

Three artists, Ray Smith as lead artist, Eva Elsnerand Annie Lovejoy, and architects Whicheloe Macfarlane MDP, contributed to the consultation process and fed into the creation of the arts strategy and final commissions programme. This case study therefore focuses on the early stages of the project and the development of the strategy for the commissions programme. This strategy led to the commissioning of artworks by over twenty artists for the new building, many of which are site specific or integrated within the fabric of the interior. The use of vibrant colour and the powerful presence of the contributions of visual artists are integral to the distinct identity of the new hospital.

Background to the Project

Development of the capital project by United Bristol Healthcare Trust (UBHT) began in earnest in 1992, and the doors were opened to patients in April 2001. Public Art South West and Bristol City Council's Arts Development Unit were involved in early discussions with UBHT, advised on sources of funding and advocated the benefits of involving artists at the concept design stage of this major capital project.

From 1993/94 the Trust's Project Team and the hospital's fundraising arm, The Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal, began a programme of visits to other children's hospitals in Europe and the USA to explore different models and approaches. As well as amassing an overview of best practice internationally, the visits generated inspiration and ideas around architecture, design and the possibility of the inclusion of art. A close relationship developed between Bristol and the Hasbro Children's Hospital, Rhode Island, USA. Hasbro had recently gone through the process of building a new hospital, shared a family-centred ethos, and had incorporated art and colour within its new hospital which made it of particular interest to the Bristol team.

The Bristol Children's Hospital was committed to a philosophy of looking after the whole family as well as the child. From the early 1980s a family-focused approach had been adopted which involved bringing families into the hospital environment to make children's transition from home to hospital more comfortable. The hospital's ethos and the results of initial research convinced the Trust that the new building should be based on three important principles:

The child's eye view of the physical surroundings and how the child feels.

The need for a relaxed, interesting and secure environment to reduce fear and tension for the child and the family as a whole.

Recognition of the vital role that the family plays in the treatment and recovery of the child, so aiming to meet the needs of the whole family.

Believing that the arts could play a critical role in achieving these goals both through input to the building design and as a unique means of involving and consulting users, in winter 1996-97 the Trust appointed arts consultant Lesley Greene from a shortlist advised by Public Art SouthWest, to develop an arts strategy for the new hospital.

Key Principles of the Strategy Development

An initial assessment period by the arts consultant identified some key issues to be addressed by the feasibility/strategy development stage:

Children's hospital staff had little previous experience of working with artists although the old building had one much loved mural in the entrance. There was an urgent need to explore how artists might work with staff and patients and to test what the challenges might be for staff, children and artists.

The overall project was driven by a fundamental commitment to consultation. At every stage architects and design team members were urged by the Project Team to talk to people and to find out the child's and family's perspective on any issue.

Project architects Whicheloe Macfarlane MDP had been appointed in autumn 1995 and designs for the hospital's exterior were already completed. Lesley recognised that if artwork was to be in any way integrated within the design and fabric of the building, a lead artist or artists should be recruited immediately to work with the design team on plans for the interior.

Significantly Lesley felt it was critical for artists to contribute actively to the strategic development stage, consulting and involving users, and creating pilots and precedents for practice. As a result a number of artists were commissioned to undertake research residencies integrating creative activities within the feasibility stage.

Interior Design Collaboration

In the spring of 1997 Ray Smith was selected as lead artist to undertake a pilot 'design only' project working with the architect David Radford and interior designer Lee Cheong, on the integration of art and colour within key public interiors. During the first fifteen days Ray also worked with children at the hospital looking at ways of integrating their ideas into the preliminary designs.

His initial fifteen-day contract resulted in a written report, proposals for the colour scheme and designs for a number of agreed spaces. The design proposals were evaluated and whole heartedly approved by the Project Team and formed part of the bid to the Lottery for support of the design development of the commissions programme. At the outset any additional design fees and commission would have been dependent upon a successful funding application tothe Lottery, however in order to meet interior design deadlines in July 1997, the Trust identified additional funds to extend Ray's design contract. The pilot project subsequently evolved into the major commission and collaboration of the commissions programme.

Working in close partnership with Lee Cheong, colour proposals were developed for the public areas on the six public levels of the building. Initial consultations with staff had generated the suggestion of a rainbow theme. Responding to this, Ray proposed the notion of a movement through adjacent harmonies of the colours pectrum as one travels up through the floors, creating distinct identities for each level, signalled by concentrations of vibrant colour at key orientation points - the stairwell and lift lobbies - allowing the visitor an almost instinctive sense of place or direction. In developing an overall plan for colour, lighting, materials, textures etc., Lee and Ray worked to establish the essential visual identity of the hospital seeking to enhance orientation and above all to give the whole environment a fresh and uplifting feel - creating a good place to be.

By involving Ray as lead artist during the feasibility stage, the potential for the design team to collaborate with an artist on the design of integrated elements of the interior was tested and proved. His inclusion on the team at this early stage allowed an integrated overall design concept which included the use of vibrant colour throughout the main public areas; unique designs for doors,floors, ceilings, furnishings, crash barriers, nurses' stations and major input to key locations such as the main reception and Outpatients Waiting Area. The colour scheme and integrated artworks also provided a framework for the siting of further artists ' commissions.

More detail on the design outcomes of the feasibility stage and the development and implementation of the designs are in Role of the Lead Artist.

Artist in Residence

Artist Eva Elsner was recruited through a national advertisement to explore children's perceptions ofthe hospital environment. Her starting point was a belief that a child's sense of identity is inextricably linked with the home and community and that being placed in an unfamiliar healthcare environment can be asource of anxiety and alienation.

Her three month residency in the old hospital in autumn 1997 resulted in the creation of a fascinating exhibition of 'Boxed Worlds' which presented children's constructed boxed collections of found and made elements reflecting their views of the hospital as compared with their homes. The finished exhibition was full of clues as to how the children felt. For the artist, these were further illuminated by conversations with the children in the process of making the work.

Some important findings were included in Eva's report of the residency, some of which became an integral part of the commissioning strategy. For example, she identified the way in which children mentally section off the medical treatment areas from bed and play areas and stressed the need for the hospital to have as many non-medical spaces and distractions as possible. The children's delight in some of the more interactive processes explored in the residency suggested to Eva that some of the commissioned artworks should 'exploit the children's excitement for discovery'. This recommendation is reflected in the range of final commissions that include many works which engage the viewer through interactivity or sheer inventiveness. Eva also noted that children enjoyed the scale of the boxes; the experience of peeking into the seminiature alternative spaces captured their imaginations. This finding was also recognised by lead artist Ray Smith who designed a series of unexpected and miniature exhibition spaces within the main staircase of the new hospital.

As the first of an anticipated series of artists' residencies, Eva's experience also drew attention to a range ofissues that would be relevant to future projects. Eva remarked upon the importance of the Play Specialists who work on each ward in acting as a vital link between artist, staff and patients. The Play Specialists were a great source of support and indeed with many subsequent projects have played a critical role. The need for an arts studio was identified - for storage of materials, a dedicated space for arts activity as distinct from the school or play areas, and a place for reflection and planning for the artist. As a result a creative arts studio was designed as an integral part of the new hospital.

Architects in Hotwells Primary School, Bristol

In the summer of 1997 the architects designing the new children's hospital, Whicheloe Macfarlane MDP, worked with Year 6 pupils in Hotwells Primary Schoolto consult with them about what they would like to see inthe hospital environment. Seven different groups of children responded to the invitation to develop design ideas for the Outpatients Waiting Area that had been identified as a key area for an arts input.

The planning-for-real project resulted in many imaginative ideas from the children about possible themes and design details. The outcomes confirmed recommendations already made including child height reception desks, child level windows, colourful floor designs and opportunities for film and video screenings. Imaginative proposals such as a 'whale cinema' helped to inform how spaces might be developed in the hospital. Although the 'whale' was not realised, this did contribute to ensuring that the Outpatients Area was designed as a flexible space that could, out of hours, be used for non-medical activities such as films, video and performance.

Arts and Technology Consultancy

Annie Lovejoy an artist with great experience of digital arts was shortlisted and interviewed for the position of lead artist and subsequently commissioned in summer 1997 to research and advise on possible uses of new technology within a healing environment.

The discussion paper which Annie produced was informed by consultation with the Deputy Head Teacher from the school hospital and the Play Team Manager, as well as information from parent/patient surveys.In it she outlined a number of possible educational uses of CD Rom, intranet and internet packages both for children and for parents/families in relation to information about specific conditions, treatments, general information about the hospital etc.

Annie recommended artists' residencies as a good way of working with new technologies. Those consulted had also stressed the need for personal human interaction alongside technological activities. Annie also commented on the increasing levels of computer literacy in children and adolescents. She advised that artist-led projects might create an alternative experience of new technologies to the 'shoot 'emup' style gaming that dominates many young people's computer game participation. Particular suggestions included 'jamming' or musicmaking on-line, which could involve creating new music through sampling.

As a direct outcome of Annie's discussion paper and Eva's residency, and as part of an ongoing programme of introducing staff to the possible roles of artists, two collaborative residencies were set up in the winter of 1997. Michelle Duxbury was the first Digital Artist in Residence and Bertel Martin was the first Poet in Residence. One outcome of the residencies was a unique Nativity Play involving children who were staying in the old hospital over Christmas.

Impact on the Arts Strategy

In addition to the specific outcomes detailed above,the contributions of artists within the feasibility stage also collectively informed the integral structure and principles of the future commissions and long term arts programme including the following recommendations detailed as part of the strategy document written by Lesley Greene.

All future artists' briefs to encompass working with children in some way.

The arts strategy and programme should create opportunities for children in hospital to make links with the outside world through active connections with external arts organisations and schools.

The establishment of an Arts Advisory Group was recommended to oversee the commissioning process. The group eventually included representatives from: - hospital clinical, management and estates staff; the design team; The Grand Appeal; independent local arts organisations; parents; Public Art South West and Bristol City Council's Arts Development Unit. The group was chaired by Project Director and Deputy Chief Executiveof the Trust, Graham Nix, whose presence brought essential financial and fundraising direction, and indicated the commitment to the arts programme for the Trust.

The need for an ongoing professionally co-ordinated arts programme incorporating music and performance arts, in order to ensure the sustainability of the original commissioning programme and its maintenance.Follow this link for more detail on the current arts programme.

Follow this link for the Introduction to the Commissions Strategy written by Lesley Greene in October1997.

Evaluation

From an early stage Lesley recognised the need for project evaluation and was keen to assess the role that art could play in relieving stress. Consultant Paediatrician at the hospital Professor David Baumwas a keen supporter of the arts programme and he also saw it as imperative that it be evaluated. He recommended the involvement of Maggie Redshaw, an Environmental Psychologist from the Institute of Child Health, University of Bristol and raised support for a study from the Champions of Child Health Fund.For more information see Consultation and Evaluation.

Funding

Artists were funded to work on the strategic development stage by a range of means. Annie Lovejoy's consultation and Ray Smith's initial pilot project of 15 days were funded from the strategy budget, part of the Trust's capital budget.Eva Elsner's residency and Maggie Redshaw's evaluation study were supported by grants from Champions of Child Health. The Trust also identified some additional funds internally in order to continue Ray's involvement at a critical stage in the development of the interior designs. All subsequent commission design fees were subject to the successful outcome of the first application to The National Lottery Arts Council of England Capital award. The eventual costs of commissions' fabrication and installation were supported by a dedicated public fundraising campaign by the hospital's charitable trust The Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal. www.grandappeal.org.uk

Team Working and Project Champion

The project is the result of outstanding creative and co-operative team working. Lesley Green directing the arts programme and David Radford as lead architect were key driving forces of the project and The Grand Appeal fundraising team made the whole thing financially viable.

Project Director, Graham Nix worked tirelessly to instil a sense of the special nature of the project to all who contributed to its realisation, whether sponsor, carpenter, electrician or artist, in order to ensure their best efforts, and to build a strong sense of achievement and local ownership in the unique project. He played a critical role both in putting the team together and in directing and supporting it throughout its five-year development. Despite enormous challenges in terms of funding, his and UBHT's commitment to the central place of the arts programme within the scheme ensured the project's full realisation. Without such vision and conviction within the senior ranks of the Trust's management, the arts programme might easily have been lost or watered down.

© Copyright Jane Connarty 2002.

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public art open briefs visual arts in the south west of england

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collaboration between architects and artist

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public art projects south west of england

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Public Art Online Health Case Studies - Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

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Public art consultants Art Office commissioned artists to create work for the interior and façade of a new children's eye centre at Moorfields Hospital, London. This was a considerable achievement in the face of difficulties.

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Art Refuge uses art and art therapy to support the mental health and well-being of people displaced due to conflict, persecution, poverty and climate emergency, in the UK and internationally.

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We regularly share updates on our direct project delivery through Instagram: @artrefuge_

Visual artists and art therapists

Our team of artists and art therapists is equipped to deliver dynamic, culturally relevant and responsive programmes in a wide range of contexts across the UK and internationally, with a longstanding history in South Asia. We are currently growing our team of refugee artists in all our programmes. We are skilled at adapting our work to support safe and imaginative spaces for people who have been displaced, including refugees and asylum seekers, both while they are in transit and once they have reached a final destination.

Participatory and collaborative practice

Art Refuge's core ethos is based upon a participatory and collaborative practice informed by decades of individual and collective experience and skills in the visual arts, art therapy, trauma work and psychosocial approaches. Always working in close partnership with local and international government and non-governmental organisations, our work largely takes place within groups and we currently operate on either side of the English Channel in Calais and Folkestone, as well as Paris, London and Bristol.

Training

We provide tailor-made arts-based Psychosocial Training for organisations in the UK and internationally, helping to support other workers on the ground in different contexts. These trainings are offered face-to-face, online and can straddle the two.

Events & exhibitions

We engage in public discourse through our active use of social media as an advocacy platform as well as a place to celebrate people's creative agency; fundraising events; exhibitions; peer-reviewed and other academic writing, presentation of papers at conferences and delivery of arts-based psychosocial training programmes in the UK and internationally.

People

Our work is underpinned by a strong team of Trustees with expertise in art therapy, asylum law, social work with unaccompanied minors, fundraising and communications.

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Art Refuge is a UK based charity, supporting displaced people through art and art therapy since 2006, in the UK and internationally, and offering crisis support and consultation to frontline staff in relation to Covid 19.

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We are the UK’s leading charity empowering lives, reducing isolation and enhancing wellbeing through the creative arts.

Our professional artists run creative arts projects with children and adults facing challenges in their lives. They are given a chance to express themselves, build skills, meet other people and nurture their wellbeing through animation, dance, drama, music, painting, photography and a host of other artforms.

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Create - changing lives through the creative arts

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Create is the UK’s leading charity empowering lives, reducing isolation and enhancing wellbeing through the creative arts.

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Creativity Works run arts and health projects in BANES and Bristol, offering creative activities and courses to inspire and empower mental health wellbeing.

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Bristol Creatives - Meet | Inspire | Grow

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Creativity Works run arts and health projects in BANES and Bristol, offering creative activities and courses to inspire and empower mental health wellbeing.

As a Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, Creativity Works, gives communities with low engagement and vulnerable people access to the arts. Over the past 30 years, Creativity Works has provided people experiencing mental illness with high quality artistic provision.

Working with a range of partners, Creativity Works helps artists and practitioners lead groups in a variety of creative practices including writing, journaling, visual arts, digital arts, dance, craft and more.

These skills give more vulnerable members of society the chance to explore, develop and grow - and combat feelings of anxiety, isolation or stigma. As well as raising self-esteem and confidence, people are encouraged to work on skills that will help them get back into work.

Oliver Jones, Director, says: 'Creativity Works has proved itself time and again to be a company of true worth. We make a genuine difference to people's lives through creativity and engagement with the arts.'
How Creativity Works has been helping communities
The team at Creativity Works collaborates with different groups, including health practitioners, the Criminal Justice Court and local authority, using the arts as a means of rebuilding confidence and providing a forum for self-expression. [EB1]

Creativity Works invests in their artists through the Co/Create development programme. This offers artists training and professional opportunities as well as access to resources and work.
My Time, My Space
Many women across the UK suffer from post-natal depression. It's a condition that is often poorly understood, meaning women don't always get the support they need. My Time, My Space works with women referred by health visitors and Children's Centres. While their children are cared for by a professional crèche, the women have a safe place to do something just for themselves. They can explore their creativity and expression - and make new friends in the process.

One of the Health Visitors commented: 'I don't know why art works but I can see it in action. I can see the lifting of spirits. It has had so much impact on so many lives I just wish I could offer it to more women.'
Networks
The Networks project works with groups of women involved with the Criminal Justice System or facing mental health issues. When partners had to withdraw, the sustainability of the project was threatened. Thankfully, Creativity Works provided ongoing support to strengthen relationships and signpost opportunities for everyone involved.
Creativity Works has the awards to prove their success
At a time when there is growing recognition of the arts sector's contribution to the wellbeing of society, Creativity Works inspires and empowers people through providing access to arts.

In the past 12 months the organisation has:

Won the Mental Health and Criminal Justice category at Breakthrough's National Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards and been 'Highly Commended' in The Arts, Wellbeing and Mental Health category

Been recognised for the support given to peer-led groups through the Mental Health Creative Support Service by winning the Arts and Health South West Arts Award

Received an award from Bath and North East Somerset Council for their Outstanding Work with Children and Families and been honoured at a civic reception.

To find out more visit www.creativityworks.org.uk

My Time My Space project at Creativity Works. Photo © Jill Carter / Creativity Works
Back to the Creative Directory

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Creativity Works run arts and health projects in BANES and Bristol, offering creative activities and courses to inspire and empower mental health wellbeing.As a Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, Creativity Works, gives communities with low engagement and vulnerable people access to the arts.

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The Portable Wellbeing studio is a fully equipped art studio and therapeutic space on wheels set up by two art psychotherapists – Alex Burr and Ella Bryant. We are committed to improving people's emotional, social and mental wellbeing, by providing art therapy and arts in health in various community settings within the portable space.

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The Portable Wellbeing studio is a fully equipped art studio and therapeutic space on wheels set up by two art psychotherapists - Alex Burr and Ella Bryant. We are committed to improving people's emotional, social and mental wellbeing, by providing art therapy and arts in health in various community settings within the portable space.

WE OFFER:

​

"I've realised I don't

have to deal with things

on my own"

(Year 7 pupil)

Our VISION

To offer art therapy and therapeutic support where there is a lack of other services available

To challenge the stigma of mental health support by offering a creative, accessible space and by raising awareness

To promote the benefits of creativity as a holistic approach to health

"I enjoyed coming to the studio and being able to freely speak and relax and enjoy myself and not have to worry about anything for an hour"

(Year 10 pupil)

"The students engaged with the art therapists in a really positive manner, and the sessions helped them manage the busyness of a school day"

(SEN Lead)

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication (BAAT, 2017). Art is not used as a diagnostic tool but as a media for expression and to explore emotions without the reliance on words and cognitive thinking. The art therapist's role is to facilitate the communication of people's thoughts and feelings through the use of art.

Art therapy can help to:

Manage and understand thoughts and feelings

Build resilience and self esteem

Give tools to manage anxiety

Help identify what makes you feel good

Provide a safe and supportive space for reflection

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The Portable Wellbeing Studio: Taking art therapy on the move to where it's needed

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Creating connections through art - Second Step

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Creating connections through art - Second Step

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It’s well known that the practice of expressive and colourful artmaking helps people – and communities – connect, engage and develop their wellbeing. This was one of the reasons why a recent volunteer project at our Community Rehabilitation Service in Bristol brought clients, staff and volunteers together to create a mural at Wellbridge House.

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It's well known that the practice of expressive and colourful artmaking helps people - and communities - connect, engage and develop their wellbeing. This was one of the reasons why a recent volunteer project at our Community Rehabilitation Service in Bristol brought clients, staff and volunteers together to create a mural at Wellbridge House.

Peer Recovery Navigator Phoebe Horrocks, who led the project, said:

"Wellbridge House is a residential home where people are encouraged to work to identify and build on their own strengths and hopes. The inspiration for this project sparked from research into participatory arts for wellbeing within healthcare settings. Through discussions with staff and clients, a stencil was designed to fill a four foot by eight foot plywood canvas, and the painting commenced. It was a joy to be involved. Many clients were unfamiliar with spray-painting and were initially a little hesitant in their approach to creating. Through the use of an expressive design format, we encouraged clients to play, experiment, and unleash their inner creativity; forming a multi-layered, rich, evolving tapestry of images, symbols, and words.

After the canvas was well and truly filled, we peeled off the stencil to reveal the word 'connection', written across the piece, alongside the famous Bristol balloons and rolling hills.

Over a cup of tea afterwards, clients, Second Step staff and volunteers commented on the freedom they felt whilst expressing themselves, and some people were inspired to continue this work at home.

I am so happy with not only the result of this project, but the process of working as a community in connection with one another to create something beautiful."

John, one of our volunteers, said:

"I started volunteering in 2020 when a friend of mine was hospitalised though due to extreme anxiety. He was a postman living on his own and Covid and other things got on top of him. I visited him and, amongst other things, shared my experiences when I was off work a few years ago due to stress. He seemed to gain a lot of strength from knowing he was not the only one and that I had got over it, gone back to work and now retired. I got such a buzz that I immediately Googled Bristol Mental Health and Second Step stood out as the sort out organisation that I would like to volunteer with. Phoebe soon shared with me her ambition to create this mural in an expressive art afternoon. It was great fun with some being hesitant at first then really going for it. It was a joy to be involved."

Volunteer Coordinator Jackson Cox said:

"There was a nice feeling of creativity and community. As the artwork came together, I was happy to see how everyone had immersed themselves in the project and how much fun everyone was having. It goes to show how good having an expressive outlet can be for your wellbeing especially if you are collaborating with others. I think everyone involved considers themselves somewhat of an artist now too!"

If you'd like to volunteer with Second Step, find out more.

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Creating connections through art - Second Step

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How volunteering at Second Step creates hope and change, and in this case, an actual piece of artwork too!

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Arnolfini is delighted to launch a new partnership with art and health professionals creativeShift, Fresh Arts, UWE Bristol and BCC Culture team. We’ll be providing a platform for them to promote the resources they’ve designed to help people connect with the healing power of creativity. We’ll also be showcasing work created by local people in response to these resources.

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Art and Wellbeing at Arnolfini - Arnolfini

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Arnolfini is delighted to launch a new partnership with art and health professionals creativeShift, Fresh Arts, UWE Bristol and BCC Culture team to promote the resources they've designed to help people connect with the healing power of creativity.

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It’s a space where artists, designers, writers, students, artist-led organisations and creative businesses can work together to make Bristol a great city to visit — and a great place to make art.

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Spike Island is more than just a building.

It's a space where artists, designers, writers, students, artist-led organisations and creative businesses can work together to make Bristol a great city to visit - and a great place to make art.

With over 70 affordable artists' studios, Spike Island helps artists stay in Bristol. We provide space for emerging and established practitioners working across all media. Our community is a place where artists can develop their careers, knowledge and networks.

As well as our artists' studios, we are home to a range of artist-led organisations and creative businesses, Spike Print Studio, Spike Island Workspace, a café, UWE Bristol's Fine Art programmes, and much more.

And, of course, our community is also made up of the people who visit us to discover contemporary art, be inspired, learn something new, and enjoy the atmosphere.

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We are home to over 70 artists, a range of creative businesses, Spike Design, Spike Island café, and much more

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Centrespace is a thriving independent and sustainable community of artists and craftspeople offering both studio space, workshops, events and a gallery space for hire. The building was originally occupied by artists in the late 1970’s and has been running as a co-operative since 1987.

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Centrespace is a thriving independent and sustainable community of artists and craftspeople offering both studio space, workshops, events and a gallery space for hire. The building was originally occupied by artists in the late 1970's and has been running as a co-operative since 1987.

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ACT was created so that local residents could take on responsibility for managing The Ardagh, to keep it as a public asset, for use and enjoyment by the community.  ACT is a charity which does not receive any core funding. Our charity registration number is 1172256. The charity raises money through making applications for external grant funding and by running services through our social enterprise. ACT employs 25+ people, and is a proud Real Living Wage Employer.

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Ardagh Community Trust (ACT) is a charity run by local volunteers. ACT was created so that local residents could take on responsibility for managing The Ardagh, to keep it as...

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A free creative drop in session, open to everyone – those without homes are particularly welcome.

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We need toilet roll tubes! Round or flattened is fine, please bring your donations to PRSC Space by 2pm on Tue 5 Dec.

A FREE creative drop-in session, open to everyone - those without homes are particularly welcome.

Open creative sessions: bring your own project or join in with the day's activities. Previous art clubs have included monoprinting, paper making, making papier-mache frames, portraiture etc. What would you like to create?

DECEMBER

Tue 5 Dec // PRSC - Christmas Stars
Tue 12 Dec // Keith - Drawing Skills
Tue 19 Dec // Paulo - Printing
Tue 26 Dec (Boxing Day) // TBC

JANUARY 2024

Tue 2 Jan // TBC
Tue 9 Jan // Keith - Drawing Skills
Tue 16 Jan // TBC
Tue 23 Jan // TBC
Tue 30 Jan // Paulo - Printing

Also available at the People's At Club: DOPE Magazine, tents and sleeping bag, free tea & coffee, sometimes biscuits.

Volunteers always appreciated! To help with:
- Assist with the creative activities
- Greet our visitors
- Sort and distribute kit for people on the street
- Bag up and distribute DOPE Magazine
- Donate/distribute tents, sleeping bags, blankets, waterproof coats & shoes.
Or just come hang out for a cuppa & a chat!
People's Art Fair: Winter// Friday 1 - Sunday 10 December 2023

The People's Art Fair runs from December 1-10, and encompasses a group exhibition, performances and creative workshops & activities! Open to artists, makers, photographers, painters, sculptors and creatives of all shapes and flavours, the People's Art Fair acts as a celebration of culture and expressive art.

People's Art Fair: Opening Party

Join us for art, drinks, music from The Vortex, and a first look at this massive exhibition - you might even get to meet some of the artists!

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People's Art Club & Community Drop-in: Christmas Stars

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The HOPE Creative offers in-person workshops on a monthly basis and free online one-to-one music lessons for children in care aged 6 to 18 in Bristol.

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The range of activities and projects run by or in partnership with The HOPE.

The HOPE Creative

The HOPE Creative offers in-person workshops on a monthly basis and free online one-to-one music lessons for children in care aged 6 to 18 in Bristol.

The HOPE Creative online one to one lessons

If your child wants to do music lessons and already attends The HOPE Creative, they'll try to pair your child with one of their regular tutors. If they can't do this, they'll give you a tutor with similar skills and experience. All their tutors are qualified, experienced and DBS checked.

The HOPE Creative tailors their online lessons to meet the needs and interests of each young person. They'll arrange a phone call with you before matching your child with a tutor.

Your child doesn't have to choose a specific instrument, although they can if they want to. You don't need any musical equipment at home.

Lessons can be creative and exploratory, develop skills, or both. You can talk to The HOPE Creative about how to make the online format work for your child.

Lessons are held between 9am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday. You get a one hour slot, and you decide how much of the hour your child uses. You agree this with the tutor. You also decide with the tutor how often your child has lessons. The lessons will be over 2 school terms.

Sometimes a member of the Bristol Beacon will join a lesson:

to check the quality of the lesson, and

for safeguarding purposes

A child's social worker can also come to lessons if they want to.

How online lessons work

The HOPE Creative do the lessons on a Microsoft Teams or Zoom video call. They're both free to use.

When you've booked your lessons, The HOPE Creative email you a 'How to guide' for parents and carers. This explains how to join the lessons, and how your tutor will run them.

What you need for online lessons

Internet access with a minimum download speed of 8Mbps, and a minimum upload speed of 1.5Mbps. Test your internet speed .

A computer, laptop or tablet, like an iPad, with a built-in camera or webcam and a microphone. You can use a smartphone but it's better to use something with a bigger screen.

How to register for online lessons

To find out more or to register for lessons, email bookings@bristolbeacon.org. In your email, say that you want more information about The HOPE Creative Online. The HOPE Creative will reply as soon as they can.

Read The HOPE Creative's Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct before your child starts their lessons.

The Letterbox Club

The Letterbox Club is a national project run by BookTrust.

In 2022 about 150 pupils from Years N2, 1, 3, 5 and 7 are taking part in the project.

Each child is sent a parcel of books, maths games and stationery once a month for 6 months, from May 2022.

BookTrust commissioned a report on Reading in Foster Families.

My Books

My Books is a project run by Bristol Libraries and The HOPE.

In 2022, the project includes over 50 children from Years 2, 4 and 6.

From September 2022 a parcel containing a book, resources and fun educational materials is sent to the child's home setting each month for 6 months.

The foster carer also gets a letter with hints and tips on how to use the packs and information about Bristol Libraries.

The progress of every child taking part in The Letterbox Club and My Books is tracked in The HOPE's database.

Visits to universities

The HOPE organises visits to universities for young people in care to get a taster of higher education as an option for their future.

National Citizen Service (NCS)

The NCS offers 15 to 17 year olds the chance to embark on exhilarating challenges and build skills for work and life.

The service offers a 2 or 3 week programme in teams of 15 young people.

The 3 week programme includes:

an adventure week away

a week of developing your skills

a week to design and deliver a social action project of your choice

The 2 week programme is exactly the same, however it's more suitable for those who prefer not to stay away from home, as it does not include the first adventure week.

The NCS takes place in the local community outside term time. Care experienced young people are eligible for a bursary.

Find out more about the NCS .

Some of The HOPE's young people have taken part in the NCS. Read about their experiences (91 KB) .

Work experience

The HOPE can sometimes help arrange work experience for young people in care. Some of Bristol City Council's departments have been able to provide opportunities, such as the Legal team. Contact The HOPE lead for the young person if you have questions.

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The range of activities and projects run by or in partnership with The HOPE. The HOPE Creative The HOPE Creative offers free online one to one music lessons for children in care aged 6&nbs

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creativeShift CIC - arts and health for life in Bristol

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creativeShift CIC - arts and health for life in Bristol

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creativeShift CIC is a small team of dedicated arts on referral practitioners committed to supporting people experiencing social isolation and mental or physical health challenges across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

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Artmaking is proven to support positive mental health and wellbeing. The creative process transports people away from everyday stresses and worries, promoting relaxation, delight, curiosity, connection, a sense of achievement and wonder.

creative Shift CIC is a small team of dedicated arts on referral practitioners committed to supporting people experiencing social isolation and mental or physical health challenges across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Taking part in a creative process encourages people to adapt more easily, seeing the world with fresh perspective. Our weekly in person and online Arts on Referral programmes, regular follow-on groups and citywide projects connect with people in a way that works for them and enables positive life changes.

Using established partnerships with the NHS, Social Prescribers, community venues and cultural organisations throughout the South West, and using the collaborative, flexible pathway we've developed over many years, we ensure that creativity through art is accessible to everyone, particularly the most vulnerable.

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creativeShift CIC - arts and health for life in Bristol

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Serving Bristol and surrounding areas with creative health programmes for over 15 years. Our proven unique arts on referral pathway has supported those with social isolation, physical or mental challenges through delivery workshops in local communities and connecting with cultural centres across the city.

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About - Art and the Public Realm Bristol

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About - Art and the Public Realm Bristol

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Our Art and the Public Realm programme focusses on the development of visionary public art works across the city outside of conventional gallery and museum settings, instead bringing to life the streets, empty buildings, parks, fields and spaces in between. The Public Art programme has been active since the adoption of a Public Art Policy by Bristol City Council in 2000, and the development of a Public Art Strategy (2003). To date over 150 commissions have been produced and over 200 artists engaged and employed.

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What search tags are there and what are their definitions according to Bristol City Council?

Currently there are the following search tags but this is a live and growing list. Please let us know if there is a tag missing that you may find helpful in your searches.

Activation and events:
Public Art and Culture can take the form of temporary activations and engagement events as well as permanent installations. Bristol City Council encourage investment into a mixed programme of both meaningful permanent works and temporary activations.
Cultural Infrastructure:
Bristol City Council is supporting and prioritising securing Cultural Infrastructure as Public Art provision through our current policy.

The below definition is taking from London's Cultural Infrastructure Plan and describes how Bristol City Council are also thinking about the term.

'When we talk about 'cultural infrastructure' we mean the buildings, structures and places where culture is -

Consumed: Places where culture is experienced, participated in, showcased, exhibited or sold. For example, museums, galleries, theatres, cinemas, libraries, music venues and historic cultural sites.

Or Produced: Places of creative production, where creative work is made, usually by artists, performers, makers, manufacturers or digital processes. For example creative workspaces, performing arts rehearsal spaces, music recording studios, film and television studios and industrial and light industrial units used by creative and cultural businesses.'

Education:
This tag is used to search for projects that have been developed as part of Primary/Bristol, a series of permanent contemporary art commissions for Primary Schools, that is the most significant programme of commissioning art for educational contexts in the country. It is also used for Public Art that has been produced by and with higher education institutions in our city.

Historical:
This tag relates to commissions that have been produced in relation to a site's history, or that re-imagine or bring alive historical context through contemporary work.

Installation:
An installation work often includes the act of installing something into a space. This can be temporary or permanent.

Landscape:
Used to describe art works and commissions that are rooted in landscape design / green infrastructure and have an ecological focus. Bristol City Council are especially welcoming projects that have a sustainable and environmental outlook.

Sculpture:
In a more traditional sense sculpture may be seen as 'the art of making three-dimensional representative or abstract forms'. BCC's approach is to think of this as a more expanded term, a sculpture can be temporary or permanent, it can involve an 'object' type commission or be more social and transient.

Space:
Public Art and Culture that responds specially to space and context and/or has a 'spatial' concept.
Bristol City Council are supporting the idea of artist residencies as part of public art provision agreements. An artist residency could mean an artist being employed for a certain amount of time to research and explore a certain site or development. Residencies often focus on process, engagement and social practice. Any visible 'outcomes' or end results are likely not to be seen until the end of the residency process. Bristol City Council are encouraging investment in meaningful creative processes and supporting artists to expand their practices and ideas in response to place.

Social:
This term is used to describe projects that include elements of 'Social Practice'. Defined by Tate UK, 'Socially engaged practice describes art that is collaborative, often participatory and involves people as the medium or material of the work'.

Bristol City Council expect an aspect of social practice and engagement to be funded by developers as part of the development of their public art /culture programmes.

Urban:
Referring to the urban/built environment context of the city Bristol, including our urban parks.

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About - Art and the Public Realm Bristol

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What search tags are there and what are their definitions according to Bristol City Council? Currently there are the following search tags but this is a live and growing list. Please let us know if there is a tag missing that you may find helpful in your searches.

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Here at Props, our vision is of a future where everyone who has a disability can do purposeful and rewarding work and contribute to their community.

To make this a reality, we provide the skills, support and work opportunities that are currently not accessible for young people and adults who have learning disabilities.

Our Training Support Services provide the building blocks of work and life skills, while our Enterprises focus on creating tailored pathways to work opportunities, challenging perceptions and breaking down barriers for people who have disabilities in the workplace.

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Ginkgo Projects is an independent public art and cultural producer.

Our philosophy is driven by a desire to create vision and experience led opportunities for artists and creative practitioners to work closely with clients, design teams and communities to build and reveal an authentic sense of narrative, place and distinctiveness within both urban and rural environments.

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Ginkgo Projects Is an independent Public Art and Cultural Producer. We create opportunities for artists and designers to work closely with clients and communities to build and reveal places that have an authentic sense of narrative, distinctiveness and identity.

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We focus on commissioning artists to make work in the public realm responding to a wide range of sites and contexts to deliver works that inspire, challenge and entertain.

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Field Art Projects was set up in 1997 by Theresa Bergne an independent curator, producer and art consultant based in the southwest of England.

We focus on commissioning artists to make work in the public realm responding to a wide range of sites and contexts to deliver works that inspire, challenge and entertain.

Field Art Projects use effective consultation in order to gain a clear understanding of the aspirations and ambitions of a given situation, and translate that into a strong curatorial vision which adds value and gives depth to the strategies we write and works we commission.

We have experience building and brokering relationships between different stakeholders within often very complex projects in both the public and private sector.

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Field Art Projects was set up in 1997 by Theresa Bergne an independent curator, producer and art consultant based in the southwest of England. We focus on commissioning artists to make work in the public realm responding to a wide range of sites and contexts to deliver works that inspire, challenge and entertain.

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Redcatch Community Garden has a growing art therapy and wellbeing team comprised of qualified art therapists (HCPC and BAAT registered) and a number of placement students and volunteers

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Redcatch Community Garden has a growing art therapy and wellbeing team comprised of qualified art therapists (HCPC and BAAT registered) and a number of placement students and volunteers.

We have an art therapy room called the Nest for working with individuals and small groups. This is part of the Canopy (heated safari tent) which we use for larger groups, and we also work outside in the Garden. For photos of the spaces we use, please click .

We run art therapy groups, art & wellbeing groups, a gardening for wellbeing group and offer individual art therapy.

Our work is mostly funded through referring organisations and grants, for example a recent grant from St Monica Trust funded art therapy groups for over 55s who were isolated due to the pandemic. Art therapy can also be accessed privately (paid for directly by the client).

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A community garden in Knowle, Bristol, where local people get together to learn, socialise, share skills and experiences, and support physical and mental health and wellbeing

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The Green House is a specialist support service for children, young people and families living in Avon and Somerset who have experienced sexual abuse.

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What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy can be used to help clients express their experiences, articulate how they have been affected, and to support their wellbeing, emotional and mental health needs (British Association of Art Therapists).

The creative process can be healing and life enhancing, as well as a form of non-verbal communication where words are sometimes difficult or not enough. As with talking therapy, is it used to encourage personal growth, and increase self-understanding and emotional repair.

Art therapy supports the belief that all individuals have the capacity to express themselves creatively and that the product itself is less important than the process; it is not always the picture or object but each persons' involvement in creating, at their own pace, alongside the therapist that is important.

We have a range of art materials available at The Green House for therapists and clients to use for creative therapeutic activities. No experience of art is needed, our therapists support the creative journey along the way and move at the pace of the client.

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What is Art Therapy? Art therapy can be used to help clients express their experiences, articulate how they have been affected, and to support their wellbeing, emotional and mental health needs (British Association of Art Therapists). The creative process can be healing and life enhancing, as well as a form of non-verbal communication where words are sometimes difficult or not enough.

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The Art Studio - Maybe Southwest | Independent Mental Health Charity

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The Art Studio - Maybe Southwest | Independent Mental Health Charity

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Maybe Art Studio has been set up to give people of all ages the opportunity to be creative. Whether you are an experienced artist or a complete beginner, you are welcome to come and enjoy the space, making use of the art materials.

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Maybe Southwest | Independent Mental Health Charity

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Ethos

Maybe Art Studio has been set up to give people of all ages the opportunity to be creative. Whether you are an experienced artist or a complete beginner, you are welcome to come and enjoy the space, making use of the art materials.

Art is about expression, the end product may feel important, but it is in the process of creating that we learn.

Whilst much of what we do at Maybe has a psychotherapeutic base, the art studio is also available for art groups and courses by artists.

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The Art Studio - Maybe Southwest | Independent Mental Health Charity

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Maybe Art Studio has been set up to give people of all ages the opportunity to be creative. Whether you are an experienced artist or a complete beginner, you are welcome to come and enjoy the space, making use of the art materials.

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Art Together - Art therapy group for people living with dementia

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Art Together - Art therapy group for people living with dementia

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Art Together is an art therapy group at Redcatch Community Garden for people living with dementia and their family members/carers. This is an ongoing, open group so you can join any time, if there are spaces. You can attend on your own or with a partner/family member/carer (who can take part in the group with you).

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Art Together is an art therapy group at Redcatch Community Garden for people living with dementia and their family members/carers. This is an ongoing, open group so you can join any time, if there are spaces. You can attend on your own or with a partner/family member/carer (who can take part in the group with you).

The group is supportive and friendly.

Free to attend

On Thursdays,1-3pm

Initial phone call and individual session before you join the group

Run by two qualified Art Therapists with support from a trainee Art Therapist

In our large heated Canopy (safari tent)

You don't have to be good at art, just happy to explore the art materials

https://www.redcatchcommunitygarden.com/groups

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Art Together - Art therapy group for people living with dementia - Linkage

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Art Together is an art therapy group at Redcatch Community Garden for people living with dementia and their family members/carers. This is an ongoing, ... Read more Art Together - Art therapy group for people living with dementia

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Our Arts on Referral is a 6 week arts programme offered to patients with chronic conditions.

The programme aims to support our patients to better manage their own self-care and to help them find ways of coping with their ongoing long-term health condition.

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Arts on Referral | North Bristol NHS Trust

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Our Arts on Referral is a 6 week arts programme offered to patients with chronic conditions.

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The Art Therapy sessions were planned for young adults, most of them referred by their GP's. The purpose of the project was to help individuals to increase their understanding of what is happening, reducing the level of distress caused by unusual experiences and prioritising personal recovery and a quick return to valued roles and social relationships.

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The Art Therapy sessions were planned for young adults, most of them referred by their GP's. The purpose of the project was to help individuals to increase their understanding of what is happening, reducing the level of distress caused by unusual experiences and prioritising personal recovery and a quick return to valued roles and social relationships.

Katie Gannaway, Mental Health Worker for AWP Bristol Early Intervention Team explains why the project was important:
"Earlier this year we ran a therapeutic art group from Arts West Side, for 16 weeks. The group was for young people 16- 35 years who are experiencing mental health difficulties. As part of their recovery we wanted this group to be in the community to promote social inclusion, leading to service users to feel less isolated and facilitating them to link in to other community resources. The art group gave them an opportunity to explore their creativity whilst receiving emotional support in a safe group environment enabling them to feel more confident to be part of the community. The group was for a maximum of eight people, and included two healthcare professionals facilitating the therapeutic art group. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends the use of art for young people because it can help to alleviate negative symptoms and should be provided in a group setting. The feedback from group members was very positive; they liked the location because it was central, they also felt the space provided was safe and confidential, allowing them to freely express themselves through their art. They also appreciated the art space below (SPACE), giving them the opportunity to view various exhibits, which for some, influenced their art and interest. This often impacted on our art sessions; members would access the group through the exhibition and this would become a talking point, and an opportunity to engage with others. Some of the members had never had the opportunity to visit art exhibitions; however, the accessibility provided this opportunity. We would have struggled to provide this group in the community due to limited funds; Arts West Side offered a great space, accessible to communities that are often isolated."

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Art Therapy story — Trinity Community Arts

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The Trinity Community Initiative (TCI) supported AWP Bristol Early Intervention in Psychosis Team with subsidised space hire at Arts West Side between February and May 2016

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We provide art studios and positive, life-changing interventions for people with mental or emotional difficulties. We will support you to enhance your well-being and health, reinforce and recharge your creativity through art.

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Studio Upstairs | Art Therapy Workshops - Leading Creative Recovery

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Studio Upstairs supports people on their creative and personal recovery journeys. Art therapy studios in London and Bristol.

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At BCTC we believe that every child deserves to live a life inspired and rich, so they can reach their full potential.

We offer creative therapy sessions (Play Therapy and Dance Movement Psychotherapy) to those children that experience challenges or issues in their lives that make it harder for them to cope. These services are available to residents of South Gloucestershire, Bristol and surrounding areas.

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Children’s Mental Health | Bristol Creative Therapy Centre | England

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Bristol Creative Therapy Centre is a non profit organization founded in March 2022. BCTC will provide professional, affordable Creative Therapy (Play Therapy, Dance Movement Psychotherapy) sessions particularly to those families who cannot afford to access therapy at commercial rates.
Referrals

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Up on Starlight Ward, which cares for brave children battling cancer, our Oncology Play Assistant Sian is busy helping patients through imaginative and creative play sessions, giving them a chance to have fun during the often long and difficult treatments they face.

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Our support for patients and their families comes in all shapes and sizes.

From Family Support Practitioners to Music Therapists and our Grand Appeal Sensory Play Practitioner, our specialist hospital staff are here to help patients and families every step of the way.

Support for families

Family Support Practitioners

Our Family Support Practitioners have worked with over 1,000 families, helping them to cope with the pressures and complexities that come with having a child in hospital, and providing practical and dedicated advice to help them move forward.

They provide a lifeline to parents, carers, grandparents, brothers, and sisters, giving emotional, financial and practical support when they need it the most.

We're not only there for mums and dads but for brothers and sisters, too. Whether it be Bristol Zoo or We The Curious, we fund day trips to local attractions making sure siblings get a welcome break from hospital life.

Support for patients

Play Therapy

Up on Starlight Ward, which cares for brave children battling cancer, our Oncology Play Assistant Sian is busy helping patients through imaginative and creative play sessions, giving them a chance to have fun during the often long and difficult treatments they face.

Sensory Play

Meet Marius, our Sensory Play Practitioner. He helps children with their development by exploring an array of sights, sounds, and surfaces.

Sensory play is an essential part of child development and is an effective way for children who are in pain or anxious about their stay in hospital to express their emotions. Marius works across the hospital with children aged up to 17 years old.

Music Therapy

Our Music Therapy service can be seen and heard in each ward at Bristol Children's Hospital.

Claire and Karen, our two passionate therapists, have delivered over 1,000 music therapy sessions at patients' bedsides at both Bristol Children's Hospital and St Michael's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Whether they're banging a drum, strumming the guitar, or playing the flute, our fantastic music therapists bring smiles to over 30 children per week, helping them deal with the stresses and fears they face.

Arts Coordinator

From immersive theatre sessions and painting workshops to interactive, imaginative storytelling, our arts programme, 'Arts Unleashed' extends across Bristol Children's Hospital, aiming to ease the stresses and fears that come with hospital life for brave patients and their brothers and sisters.

At the helm is our Arts Coordinator, Lynne, who took up the role after 17 years as Play Centre Manager at the children's hospital!

Working with Bristol's wealth of creative talent, Lynne invites a range of artists behind the doors of Bristol Children's Hospital to offer patients exciting workshops. Meanwhile, the Activities Centre at the hospital is home to a whole host of arts activities with musicians and artists all year round.

Young Persons Involvement Worker

Whenever we begin a new project at the hospital, we ask the people who know it best: the patients.

The Youth Involvement Group, supported by the Young Persons Involvement Worker role that we part-fund, is made up of young patients who are passionate about the NHS.

Our specialist hospital staff form an important part of our commitment to creating a diverse specialist team that both supports and enriches the amazing team of health professionals at Bristol Children's Hospital.

With your help, we can ensure they continue to care for the 100,000 patients that visit the children's hospital each year.

By investing in ground-breaking research today, we can help the children of tomorrow.

View page

We fund the equipment that saves lives.

View page

Our three family accommodation houses are open 365 days a year.

View page

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Support for Patients and Families - The Grand Appeal

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Specialist hospital staff, funded by The Grand Appeal, are here to offer support for patients and families every step of the way.

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Environmental arts therapy is practiced outdoors and enjoys a profound and intimate relationship with the natural world, inspired and shaped by the locations it inhabits.

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rt-K are an award-winning provider of structured
art classes for children aged 6–18.

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Currently, we teach: acrylics, watercolour, inks, clay, pastels on surfaces like canvases, cartridge paper and more.

Our branded products are all included in our classes; there are no hidden costs. Not all mediums wash out, so please ensure your children wear appropriate clothes for art.

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Art Classes in Bristol | Find Kids Art Classes | art-K

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art-K runs immersive art programmes, developed over the past 20 years, which are personalised to each individual student. Be creative and expand your mind.

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s articulated in Teapot Trust’s Constitution document, our charitable purpose, main activities and wider impact work are described, below. Please also see our Public Benefit page.

Teapot Trust’s charitable purpose is to enhance the lives of children, young people and their families who are suffering the impact of any chronic or long-term condition, including ‘hidden’ health conditions, e.g.: Rheumatic disease.

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I started with the Teapot Trust in April 2015 and work alongside the Paediatric Rheumatology Team at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. Prior to Covid-19, I facilitated an open art therapy group for children and young people attending their rheumatology appointments which was energetic and fun! I now offer online 1-1 art therapy sessions with children and young people and enjoy that sessions can still be very creative. I am also working on an art therapy group manual with a team of researchers in partnership with the Teapot Trust and Newcastle University which I am very excited about. Prior to my role at the Teapot Trust, I worked for several other charities offering emotional support to children, young people and their families. When I am not working I am usually at the park with my husband, son and daughter, and I enjoy art, cooking, charity shops and gardening.

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mental health art therapy charity for children with chronic conditions

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Teapot Trust is a mental health charity that provides support for children and families coping with chronic conditions by providing art therapy.

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We provide people of all ages with places and ways to connect. We are passionate about our community and putting local people in control so together we can build healthy and happy neighbourhoods.

We inform and inspire action in Easton and Lawrence Hill making East Central Bristol a place of possibility for everyone.

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Up Our Street is a community magazine that speaks from many perspectives, sharing community life through positive stories from East Bristol. It aims to build a sense of pride and belonging, inspiring residents to get involved with activities in their neighbourhood .

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Eastside Community Trust | Felix Road & Easton Community Centre

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We provide people of all ages with places and ways to connect. Inspiring action, to make East Central Bristol a place of possibility for all.

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Missing Link is a mental health and housing service for women in Bristol. We were established in 1982 to provide a range of housing and support to women that either have acute or long term mental health needs.

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Services we offer How to make a referral Are you a victim-survivor of rape or another sexual offence? Have you ever reported the offence to the police? Do you want to give feedback on your experience with the police?

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Windmill Hill City Farm is a 4.5-acre green space in South Bristol.

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Windmill Hill City Farm is a 4.5 acre site in Bedminster, Bristol. It's a great place for a relaxing walk in nature, a treat at our café or for a day out with the kids.

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play team Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

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play team Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

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Play is an essential part of childhood - a child learns, develops, communicates and expresses them self through play.

Our play team are specially trained in providing play for sick children and young people. They provide our patients with the means to develop through fun and familiar activities, according to their age and ability, and to meet their social, emotional, developmental and cultural needs.

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Why is play important?

Play is an essential part of childhood - a child learns, develops, communicates and expresses them self through play.

Our play team are specially trained in providing play for sick children and young people. They provide our patients with the means to develop through fun and familiar activities, according to their age and ability, and to meet their social, emotional, developmental and cultural needs.

The team work closely with medical and nursing staff to make sure your children get the best care. Play has an important role to play in a child's wider treatment and to aid their recovery.

Play facilities

There is a large play centre with an outdoor area on level 5 which is available to all patients and their siblings. (Subject to Covid-19 restrictions).

We have play/activity rooms on most wards or waiting areas equipped with toys and activities for a range of ages. These can help entertain and distract while you are waiting to be seen during your hospital stay or while you are waiting to be seen in an outpatient clinic.

Ward Apollo 35 is our adolescent ward and includes three social areas that are well equipped with computer games, Wi-Fi access, air hockey, table football, a jukebox, and a range of activities and crafts specifically designed for this age group.

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Bristol Royal Hospital for Children | University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

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Play is an essential part of childhood - a child learns, develops, communicates and expresses them self through play. Our play team are specially trained in providing play for sick children and young people. They provide our patients with the means to develop through fun and familiar activities, according to their age and ability, and to meet their social, emotional, developmental and cultural needs.

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east bristol contemporary (ebc) is an artist-led gallery based at the trinity centre, Bristol.

ebc was established in 2016 to counteract the lack of professional showing spaces for early career contemporary artists in Bristol, focussed on staging a unique and diverse programme of exhibitions and events.

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ebc seeks to counteract the lack of established showing spaces for grass roots contemporary artists in Bristol, and to establish a unique and diverse programme of exhibitions and events.

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Our aim is to promote the unique health and social benefits skating, riding, and alternative sports can bring to the community.

As physical and mental health continues to decline there is an increasing demand for inclusive leisure and activity strategies. The integration of skateparks and alternative sports alongside traditional sports and play is now long overdue.

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Wheelscape Skatepark Design and Build. Our mission is to use skate, ride, play and alternative sports to create fun, inclusive and sustainable places that your community can be proud of, now, and for generations to come.

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A collective of artist collectives, putting on events & collaborating in the South West

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The Brunswick Club, Bristol, United Kingdom. 1,976 likes · 1 talking about this. A collective of artist collectives, putting on events & collaborating in the South West