Blog

Many of the organisations we know work creatively with people with post-traumatic stress, with mental health problems and trauma often deeply entwined. This blog explores arts and creativity particularly with veterans but more widely too.

What would it require for all care homes to offer their residents access to relevant creative and cultural opportunities on a daily basis? And what do care home staff, residents and family members think?

Over the last 18 months, we have been looking at the issue of artists' mental health and what we can do to support the artists we fund through our work. David Cutler sets out where we have got to.

Read about how the AILI Network in Finland are integrating data about individuals' cultural and creative habits and interests into care planning.

How are museums involving and engaging people with mental health problems in their work? Could more be doing so? David Cutler explores initiatives in the UK and in other countries.

The BBC's excellent documentary 'Reclaiming Amy' is not only a moving tribute, but a timely reminder of the importance of participatory arts for people living with addiction, and the need to support artists' mental health.

We are awarding 24 new grants - out of a very strong field - this week to support participatory artists from ethnically diverse backgrounds in arts & mental health. The Chair of our Arts Committee explains the decision-making.

Alex Evans, Artistic Director at Kazzum Arts in East London, explains the impact taking a trauma-informed approach has had on their arts work with children & young people, staff and artists, and throughout the organisation.

The benefits of the arts for mental health are increasingly recognised, but they need to be much better funded.

Lockdown has underlined the huge value of creativity particularly for those living in care homes. What would it require for all care homes to offer their residents access to relevant creative and cultural opportunities on a daily basis?