I have been working as an artist in the area of mental health over the last seven years. I am currently the Visual Arts Lead for Hoot Creative Arts , an arts and mental health organisation in Huddersfield. We deliver a complex programme of workshops and projects across different artforms for people working towards improving their mental health and well being. I programme the visual art and writing,deliver art sessions, mentor, organise exhibitions ,co- run staff CPD and Creative Direction for the organisation.
Previously I managed the Going Sane? project for Hoot : a two year programme of cross arts projects with 12 organisations and 24 artists- visual art, writing, dance, music, sound, textiles. Before Going Sane? I was responsible for developing the InSide programme for Artists in Mind, Hoot’s sister organisation, developing and delivering a programme of work in mental health units in hospitals , secure and forensic units and prisons.
In 2014, I was the resident artist at Swallownest Court in Rotherham, a residential secure unit for adults with acute and complex mental health needs. I worked with the patients one day a week for 6 months on the ARTiculate Project, funded by Rotherham , Doncaster and Sheffield NHS Trust
