Art exhibition to showcase the talents of ward 18
Local people are invited to an exhibition at Batley Library, Market Place, WF17 5DA, created by people who have mental health problems.
The exhibition will showcase the creative talents of patients on ward 18 at Dewsbury and District Hospital. The work was produced during sessions run by activity workers Kelly Sykes and Lee Lister, who work for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The work on display at Batley Library is just one example of the creative work that takes place across the Trust. The Trust is committed to the use of creative approaches in health services and has called this area of work ‘Creative Minds’. Creative approaches can achieve high quality outcomes for people who use health services. The importance of engagement and involvement is highlighted and barriers between staff and service users can be broken down, levelling relationships.
The use of creative activities in healthcare has been shown to increase self-esteem, provide a sense of purpose, develop social skills, help community integration and improve service users’ quality of life
Activity worker Kelly Sykes said, “Creative activities help people with mental health problems develop skills and confidence and the exhibition is an excellent opportunity to showcase the talents of people on the ward. We’re inviting people to come along to the exhibition to see the work the group has produced but also to help break the barriers surrounding mental health.”
It is hoped the exhibition will help to raise awareness into mental health and tackle stigma surrounding it. Staff on ward 18 have found that having mental health problems don’t stop individuals from being creative. Instead they have found it can enhance the appreciation and perception of regular objects and the environment.
The exhibition will be open from Saturday 8th October during library opening times and will remain on display until Saturday 19th November.
For more information contact Batley Library on 01924 326021 or email batley.lic@kirklees.gov.uk
More information about the Trust’s Creative Minds work is available online at www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/creativeminds