A total of £7,595 in funding from the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund For Adults, has helped to create an exciting new textiles art course called ‘Threads of Resilience’ at Forth Valley College’s, Stirling Campus.
The College’s Creative Industries Department developed the project proposal before Christmas which was designed to pilot an approach to support individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions, to continue their creative learning and transition from a hospital based setting into a campus environment at the Stirling Campus.
Running over a 10 week period one day a week, from Friday 19 January to the Easter Holidays, the project is now working with 10 individuals who have attended the well-established Artspace Project in Stirling.
FVC Textiles Lecturer Julie Borland is delivering the project and Aya Iguchi from Artspace supported the transition of the participants from Artspace to the College. Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise were also involved in managing the funding.
Linda Paterson, FVC Creative Industries Curriculum Manager, said: “Artspace is Artlink Centrals’ dedicated arts programme working with adult participants with diagnosed mental health problems across Stirling. From discussions with Artlink, it was clear there was a lack of local provision which would provide a ‘bridge’ to progress from informal to more formal learning.
“This project will act as that bridge, working with individuals referred from Artlink who are keen to enhance their skills and creative knowledge, but are not ready to make the leap into a mainstream course.
“The project is a textiles project and the title is ‘Threads of Resilience’, it will support individuals into a campus setting, providing a warm, welcoming environment in which they can develop their skills. We will also offer the opportunity to explore further learning opportunities on completion of the programme.
“The purpose will be to reduce social isolation, create connections and develop confidence through attending the classes in a campus setting. It will also support resilience - preparing individuals to progress and increase their awareness of options for learning, volunteering and employment.
“It will also promote a sense of wellbeing and achievement, as individuals taking part will also work towards being part of Stirling Campus exhibition to display their work to the wider community - changing perceptions and breaking down stereotypes of mental health. We aim to have an official opening of this exhibition and participants will be able to invite friends and family to see their work.
Aya Iguchi-Sherry Development Artist and Project Coordinator with Artlink Central, said: “Artspace is one of Artlink Central's social prescription programmes, and it is designed to support participants in a ‘pathways to recovery’ approach for their mental health. We support participants to develop their creative and social skills by working with a professional artist and work towards an individuals' goal plan.
“The Threads of Resilience course at Forth Valley College has given a great opportunity to some of the Artspace participants, who are all keen to develop their creative skills in a formal educational setting.
“Attending the course at the College is a big step for all of them, but we worked on a transition to the College prior to the course starting, and we made sure people felt comfortable attending the Stirling Campus. I'm pleased to hear that everyone's back every week.
“I hope some of them will be inspired to study further at the College and I hope to continue to work in partnership with the Forth Valley College and offer this amazing opportunity to future Artspace participants.”
Pauline Jackson, FVC’s Development and Fundraising Manager, said: “We were delighted to be successful with our funding proposal, and we have worked closely with Artspace to design a programme which offers a bridge from informal to formal learning. It will support individuals to enhance their skills and raise awareness of their options going forward. I am looking forward to seeing the exhibition planned for the end of the project, which will be a fantastic showcase for the creative talent.”
Tracy Duff, Development and Engagement co-ordinator at Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise, said: “The Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults over the last two years had a huge impact within the third sector, and has enabled new groups to be established and provide much needed additional provision for a wide variety of organisations. A total of 37 organisations in the Stirling area have received funding in year three, and we are looking forward to sharing the fantastic work taking place within our communities.”
If you would like any information on the projects funded this year please contact tracyduff@sventerprise.org.uk
For more information on Artlink visit www.artlinkcentral.org
