Blog

In the spotlight shines a light on the work of some of our grantees, profiling the people behind the grant. First up, our Programmes Officer spoke to human rights lawyer, Jen Ang, partner at JustRight Scotland about all aspects of her work.

How are legal organisations supporting people during the pandemic? Last week, Foxglove, JustRight Scotland, Public Interest Law Centre and COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice told us about their work this year.

Bisakha Sarker is a dancer, choreographer and facilitator - she was interviewed in The Artist in Time, which celebrates the lives and work of artists born before 1950. You can also hear her speak at a launch of the book.

Sir Frank Bowling - who was awarded a knighthood this week - was interviewed in The Artist in Time, which celebrates the artistic lives of artists born before 1950. His interview is below - one fascinating read in a book of them.

In readiness for World Mental Health Day tomorrow (10 October) we are delighted to post the first blog from an organisation which received a grant in our first grants round - Recover who produce beautiful works of art from old and donated furniture.

We asked a few arts and mental health organisations how they made the made the transition - from physical spaces to remote - whilst making their sessions safe, comfortable and creative. Reflections below!

We are delighted to be awarding 87 new grants this week to organisations working in arts and mental health. Here the Director of the Foundation and of our Arts Programme explains the thinking behind the awards we have made.

Practitioner wellbeing in the arts & (mental) health field has rightly become a hot topic, with the impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods making it only more so. We asked a few organisations what support they offer or would like to offer.

Rachel Parker of The Reader in Liverpool explains how they use shared reading of great literature to help improve mental health and resilience in settings including prisons, secure mental health units and the community.

Oakleaf are a mental health charity in Guildford, Surrey, offering creative workshops alongside other services to people recovering from mental ill-health.