All aboard the arts train!

Service users from Enfield Down have taken part in an art project to encourage discussions around life journeys and experiences. Artwork from the project is currently being displayed at The North Light Gallery in Huddersfield as part of a special two month exhibition to celebrate the group’s achievement.

Enfield Down is an inpatient unit that provides recovery and rehabilitation services for people experiencing mental health problems who need a longer time to re-establish their independence. The project, funded by the Trust’s Creative Minds initiative, saw groups of all generations come together to take part in the work.

Service users from Enfield Down worked with Home Valley Sharing Memories who are all in their 70s, 80s and 90s. Each individual in the group turned a shoe box into a train carriage which included artwork representing their interests, journeys and aspirations. Each carriage has been placed together to make a train, which can be viewed by members of the public at The North Light Gallery.

Jenny McGuigan, occupational therapist at Enfield Down said, “The project has been a great way to share experiences and work with different people. The Home Valley Sharing Memories group came to Enfield down, which was a good experience for everyone involved.

“We met up with the group twice to see everyone’s progress. It was fantastic to see the different ways that people used the boxes to express themselves – there were no two the same!”

Margret, a patient at Enfield Down, took part in the project and made her box to reflect the different holidays she had been on throughout her life. Margret said, “I really enjoyed the project. I liked the company, meeting new people and socialising.”

The work will be displayed at the gallery until the end of August. The group hopes that the work will go on to be showcased locally in schools after the exhibition has finished.

Find out more about the Arts Train Exhibition.