Creative Minds films
Creative Minds is an initiative that develops community partnerships and co-funds creative projects in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees, Wakefield, and in our forensic services. Our films take a look at just some of the projects that have used Creative Minds funding to make a huge difference to the lives and recovery of local people.
From art to football, singing to climbing, sculpture to walking – Creative Minds is making a difference. Take a look at our films to see the wide range of creative activities being provided and the impact the projects have had.
Barnsley
We visit the Live Arts Café which encourages individuals to explore their own creativity and discover their hidden talents and see how QDOS has been helping young people in the area to use dance, music and poetry to benefit their lives. Plus new and innovative group Theratots demonstrates its ‘therapy playgroup’ – a five-week programme for babies and young children with complex postural needs which allows them to have fun and socialise while undergoing their therapy.
Kirklees
Hoot explains how its ‘Breathing Space’ sessions help people with dementia and their carers and Manasamitra – a South Asian dance group – show off their workshops inspired by traditional Indian heritage. We take to the water with The Safe Anchor Trust, involving people in steering a boat, operating locks, or allowing them to enjoy a relaxing float down the canals, and we see how a walking group are working towards ‘The Dales Challenge’. Plus, we visit the Packhorse Gallery – where people take part in everything from knitting to arts.
Forensics
This film shows how taking part in horticultural therapy can help aid recovery. An individual explains his aspirations for the future inspired by his visits to the Newton Lodge writers’ group, and we take a look at Fieldhead’s unique ‘open mind’ sculpture. The film also features the Good Mood Football league and shows some examples of the teams that forensics services play against, filmed at Dewsbury Sports Centre – the league helps individuals of varying levels of ability keep active and take part in something they enjoy.
Wakefield
See how interacting with horses through equine therapy has helped individuals improve their social lives and wellbeing. Take the plunge into hydrotherapy, and look at our intriguing ‘labyrinth’ created in the Caring Garden at our Fieldhead site. Inspire art group shows off its work with Faceless art company to create wire sculptures which went on to be displayed in Wakefield’s iconic The Hepworth Gallery, and a mother and daughter explain how attending the Harmony choir sessions, run by Hoot creative arts, has brought them together through a shared interest.
The science of creativity
“Creative Minds stimulates the bits of the brain that maybe therapies won’t get to.” One of our consultants, Dr Graham Hill, explains the science behind creativity and just why it’s so good for us. Dr Hill believes that finding something that individuals are good at grows their confidence and self-esteem which in turn aids their recovery. Did you know that you use the front of your brain to think about worries and problems? Dr Hill shows the other parts of the brain that are activated when we take part in creative activities and describes how this can benefit recovery.
Breathe
Film by Verde de gris arts featuring 4 personal journeys of quitting tobacco use. Funded by Calderdale public health service. Commissioned by Creative Minds in support of the work of the Yorkshire Smokefree service.
Understand the power of your BREATH. Improve your breathing, increase your lung capacity and feel better overall, both mentally and physically, when you stop smoking. http://www.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk If you’re ready to quit, we’re ready to help. Get in touch with our Yorkshire Smokefree NHS service for friendly and free help and advice. When did you first start smoking? Were you encouraged by those around you? Watch real-life quitters talk about the importance of getting support to keep them motivated and on track, through local activity-led clubs and groups and the Yorkshire Smokefree service. Book into our service via 0800 612 0011.
Safety Nets
The Safety Nets programme aimed to create therapy groups for children to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing . The sessions featured here were for children aged 10 to 18 and ran for up to 8 weeks. The Safety Nets sessions were run by staff from the Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) at South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust alongside health and wellbeing coaches from Wakefield Trinity.
Here we feature the Safety Nets programme, this time delivered by our Creative Minds partner ROKT Foundation working with our Creative Minds staff to deliver the programme for a school group.
The Good Mood Football League
The Good Mood Football League is a collaboration between Creative Minds, West Riding County F.A. and services from Southwest Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and its community partners. It’s a football league bringing together people with lived experience of mental health issues and substance misuse to enjoy football.
Creativity can help us in times of instability
Getting creative to support wellbeing during COVID-19 in Barnsley, South Kirklees, and Wakefield
A number of people including members of the community, Creative Minds and other NHS staff were trained by Peoples Voice Media to gather stories from the community about what creativity means to them and their experiences of how covid affected their lives. This was funded by The Association of Mental Health Providers.
Soft and Fluffy
These are a series of 101 films and audio recordings of people who have benefitted from creative activities and what it means to their wellbeing. We called this project Soft and fluffy because in the past creative approaches in health have been dismissed as “soft and fluffy” when in reality taking part can really change lives for the better.
Visit the website with lots of the stories from both projects here: https://communityreporter.net/creativitywellbeing?page=0