About Art Angel
Art Angel is a not-for-profit community and person-centred arts project created by and for people with mental health challenges. Through our experience and careful listening, we have been able to identify the individual needs of our participants and through art, have found a way to offer hope.
We offer access to a wide range of 2 / 3 hours artistic activities and long-term continuity in a non-judgemental and inclusive environment, supporting at any stage of their recovery journey. We firmly believe that engaging in the creative process can make recovery from serious mental health issues more manageable and grounded, and therefore more lasting. People who participate in our groups can gain new skills, perhaps developing latent abilities, while also appreciating and recognising the value of making art in a social and non-clinical context. People can learn or re-learn to be themselves through making art and, over time, feel more able to express their views, ideas and opinions not only within the project, but also as valued members of the wider community.
Our activities are open to anyone aged 16 and over, from creative writing, drama, photography and expressive arts, in a total of 15 groups per week. We welcome any level; our groups are not classes; we do not teach. All our tutors and volunteers participate in ongoing training to develop their skills and knowledge, so that the service remains relevant and useful to the people who access it. This ensures that the project maintains excellent standards and is responsive to the needs and opinions of participants.
Many of them have commented that their time with Art Angel has been transforming, giving a sense of achievement and self-worth, helping them overcome isolation and making long-term recovery and wellbeing goals achievable. Thanks to their commitment and skills, they have been able to meet the challenges of everyday life.
Year after year, one person at a time, Art Angel has grown with its people and for its people, continuing to change lives.
How to join
We usually have an initial chat with interested people to better understand their needs and explain how we work and what we can offer, and also whether this is the right place for them.
We do not always have spaces available, so we try to maintain a waiting list or suggest other services where possible.
We do not have a formal referral form, as we try to remain flexible in how people can contact us, which can be by e-mail, phone or message on our Facebook or Instagram.