Postcard Art for Mind & Crisis Emergency Appeals

Last weekend, I shared a piece of artwork on Facebook, along with a snapshot of my story of recovery from a recent episode of mental ill health. It was amazing to see how the post seemed to touch a lot of people, particularly at this time of crisis where so many of us are finding our mental health or living situation is being challenged in unexpected, difficult and potentially devastating ways. The post is copied below if you would like to read it.

It's now a few days on after I shared my story and painting and the kindness and support shown has sparked an idea: the Postcard Artwork Fund. I've spent £10, the starting amount asked for in the emergency appeals from Crisis and Mind at this time, but instead of donating it, I have had three pieces of artwork printed out onto postcards. I'm now launching this fund to try and turn that tenner into a bigger pot in aid of the Emergency Appeals being run by Crisis and Mind during this pandemic. I'm asking for your help to get involved if you possibly can (amongst all the many other things no doubt demanding of your attention at this time).

If you are in a position to donate and can find a spare few minutes to do so, please consider making your pledge of £5, £10, £20 or more to this crowdfunder page. Choose which reward you’d like to receive, click through to your chosen reward to donate and then enter your postage details securely in order to receive your duo or trio bundle of prints in the post. 

Your postcard delivery will feature colourful artwork that I created as a therapeutic part of recovery from the episodes of mental ill health I have faced in recent years. There is also the option at £20 or above to commission your own original piece of postcard art, that I will create and deliver just for you! If you’d like to support but prefer not to receive any postcards, you can simply make a donation of your chosen amount. NB: £10 is the lowest Crowdfunder auto donate button, but you can enter your chosen amount - anything from 1p up!

You will receive your postcards via second class post, the cost of which (65p) will be taken from your donation.  I will donate any further printing costs required, depending on the take up, and will be using all the envelopes which have been sitting in my spare room filing cabinet for years! The rest of the funds raised through your donations will be split 50:50 and given directly to the Emergency Appeals being run by Crisis and Mind at this time.

I hope also that you'll maybe be inspired to write a message on your postcards and send them on to family, friends, neighbours, key workers in your community or even your local hospital, or to just keep them at home to enjoy. I hope the vibrant pictures will help keep spirits up, be a reminder that things can and do get better when the right support, information and help are available and accessible and even inspire some more creativity along the way, at the same time as raising money and awareness of the Mind and Crisis Emergency Appeals.

“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

(Maya Angelou)

Every postcard has the charities' details on the reverse, including where to donate and how to access help. You could spread some much needed help and kindness by donating to this appeal and sending on your postcards and with these seemingly small actions you will be helping Mind and Crisis work to alleviate the extra challenges now being placed on so many of the most vulnerable people in our society and, ultimately, to save lives.

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness."

(Seneca)

A huge thank you for your time, consideration and for any support you are able to give to help these vital charities at this critical time. I look forward to sending out some postcard artwork and joining together in spreading awareness, information, support and hope. I'd also be very grateful for your help if you would be happy to share details of this crowdfunder page, to help spread the word. Thank you.

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CRISIS HOMELESSNESS EMERGENCY FUND

Click here to read and watch videos about the Emergency Fund enabling Crisis to:

• provide emergency food and hygiene packs
• provide mobile phones to those without them
• remotely support over 3000 members via phone, text, or video call
• support local homelessness organisations through an emergency grants fund

Website: www.crisis.org.uk 

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MIND EMERGENCY APPEAL

Click here to read about how Mind are offering information and support, which can be accessed in the following ways:

Website: www.mind.org.uk // Infoline: 0300 123 3393 // Email: [email protected] // Text: 86463

The Mind Infoline is open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays), providing an information and signposting service. If you need support outside these hours, the Samaritans are accessible over the phone 24 hours, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 for free or go to https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

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Naomi's Facebook Post, 24th May 2020:

"During Mental Health Awareness Week, I’ve been reflecting on how much change can happen in just one year, since experiencing a breakdown that swallowed me up for a considerable amount of 2019. I painted this picture at a desolate time of despair and fear, when the simple sanctuary of moving a brush over paper and sensing vibrant colours and shapes emerging felt a total lifeline. Keeping my creativity and expression alive has been a vital part of understanding and accepting what happened and to begin to heal, repair, learn and move forward, to the extent I’m now the healthiest, happiest and calmest I’ve ever felt. Today I commit to making no secret or taboo of my experiences and I share my painting here to offer hope and respect to anyone whose mental health is being challenged to an intolerable degree right now, particularly through this Covid-19 pandemic. I hope beyond all hopes that there will be a brush and paper, or whatever would be a positive lifeline for you, reachable when you need it the most. Looking back on this painting now, I see a dancing fire and a sense of something being unleashed, perhaps an imaginary vision of a long night spent in the jungle. I can also see a bird, kingfisher blue, rising up with vitality to reach for fresh air. I think that’s me. I was still in there, even amongst the sparks and fright ignited in my mind. No state is permanent. The brain, soul and body are expert healers given the right conditions. And kindness and understanding cut straight to the core of all that is important and helpful in this world. I wish everyone as much good health and happiness as possible, today and always x "