MP to visit Art for Wellbeing project
Halifax MP Holly Lynch will visit a project that helps people tackle health-related problems through art.
Art for Wellbeing is a partnership between the town’s Artworks School of Art and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWYPFT) that takes a creative approach to combating issues including isolation and lack of self-esteem.
Skilled tutors introduce the Trust’s service users to a range of creative arts through dedicated art classes in groups and ongoing support for those who wish to continue into mainstream classes.
Ms Lynch (Labour) will tour the project at the Industrial Textiles Mill at Shaw Lodge, Halifax, on Thursday July 30 with Artworks directors and Trust staff who run it as part of the Trust’s Creative Minds strategy to promote health and wellbeing.
Since its launch in November 2011 Creative Minds has delivered more than 200 creative projects in partnership with over 70 community organisations, benefiting more than 6,000 people.
It has allowed people to get involved in activities from archery to walking groups, developing skills from creative writing to woodwork.
Phil Walters, lead for the Creative Minds initiative at the Trust said: “Creative Minds has provided a way to not only build on existing creative activities within the Trust’s services, but also to work with a wide range of community organisations, enhancing and extending our service offer by delivering innovative, transformative and meaningful health and wellbeing enhancing creative activities.”
Ms Lynch will also visit the Trust’s inpatient mental health unit at The Dales, Calderdale Royal Hospital on the same day.
She said: “I very much look forward to visiting the Dales Unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital and the Art for Wellbeing project. Many local people rely upon these services and my number one priority is to support health care in Calderdale.
“The partnership between Artworks and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is a fantastic example of how organisations can work together to really improve the lives of people in my constituency.”