Welcome to our Project, the Local Art Support Therapy, or L.A.S.T. We are a non-profit Community wellbeing project, aimed to encourage and teach people how to freely express themselves through the use of art, without only promoting rainbows and sunshine. Our diverse group includes members of the LGBTQ+ community and individuals who are recovering from addiction. Participants are made to feel safe and free of judgment to express themselves in any way they choose with any medium they would like to explore, allowing for more creative freedom.
The Team:
At present, we are a small team with only two facilitators who volunteer their time. My name is Laura and I am a qualified freelance artist who has had a lifelong passion for art. I have used art to cope with my own mental and physical health conditions and have experimented with various mediums. My primary role is as Project Manager, but I also offer prompts, ideas, and basic technical skills to participants.
Leigh, has experience in safeguarding, mentoring, and mental health first aid. She is a well-known community volunteer who can provide the necessary information to connect people with local support networks. During the COVID lockdowns, Leigh tried art as a mental health outlet and found it incredibly helpful. Her skills have since flourished, making the end product more rewarding for her.
As individuals who struggle with mental and physical health issues, we understand the need for a group like ours in the community. We recognize that many like-minded individuals are deterred from attending structured craft sessions that typically appeal to older audiences. Thus, we took the initiative to start our own constituted art group where people like us can explore the benefits of art for wellbeing.
Our Goals:
Our aim is to bridge a gap in the local community by providing support that is currently lacking. We run an Art Wellbeing group for adults aged 18+, with a focus on those in their late 20s to early 30s. Our evening sessions are ideal for those who have daytime commitments such as work or children. We aim to create an inclusive environment where anyone can feel welcome and accepted.
Currently, we are operating on a limited budget, relying on personal supplies and donations from the local community. However, this has not stopped our participants from benefiting from the group. Our sessions provide a relaxed and safe space for people to experiment with art, different mediums, styles, and themes. I offer guidance and help with techniques while we talk about our lives, our challenges, and our mental health. We aim to spin things in a positive light and foster a sense of community.
The creative freedom that we offer is something that our participants enjoy. They are free to express themselves without fear of judgment or mess, and for some of us, without worrying about our children taking part. Our group is diverse, with people of different ages, backgrounds, interests, and skill levels. However, they have all formed a support network with each other that extends beyond the group.
We are also building an online community, where people can join in on the weekly themes using whatever materials they have at home and post their creations in our Facebook group. This provides an opportunity for both face-to-face and online members to stay connected and support each other, even if they cannot attend a session. Both face-to-face and online members can contact us for help and support.
Future plans:
Our vision for L.A.S.T is to see it grow and expand to reach more people in the community. Our hope is for participants to gain skills that they can use to channel their emotions in safe and healthy ways. We want to see the group thrive to the point where we can establish another group specifically for teenagers with mental health issues. Unfortunately, due to limited supplies and the need for certain types of youth training and checks, we are currently unable to offer this service. We are aware of the struggles that mental health services face in providing help and support to those who need it, especially in the area we live in where poverty, domestic abuse, antisocial behaviour, and poor mental health are prevalent.
How funding will help:
The funds raised through Crowdfunding will play a crucial role in sustaining and improving our group. They will enable us to purchase necessary supplies and materials, as well as expand our current range of mediums, thereby offering more creative opportunities to our participants. Additionally, we will be able to contribute to the community church that generously provides us with rent-free space.
If we exceed our funding goals, we plan to use the additional resources to provide essential training and checks for us to work with local youths who are in need of places to go and positive activities to engage in. The youth in our area face many challenges, including poverty, domestic abuse, antisocial behaviour, and poor mental health. By providing a safe and supportive environment for them, we hope to make a positive impact on their lives and help them develop essential life skills through the creative outlet that art provides.
On behalf of the current participants of the group, We would like to thank anyone in advance, for helping us build this community group.