We will all very soon know the result of the general election and my hope is that whichever party is successful on Thursday, they keep to their promise of investment in the arts and culture. In a recent interview for BBC Points West, I pointed out that all the parties have been wildly over-promising on their commitments to us the people once they get their feet tucked behind the desks of power. If it is a Labour victory, I will be holding out for them to stick to their manifesto promise of £1 billion of investment in cultural infrastructure as part of a new charter for the arts. If the Conservatives are returned to government, I hope they won't reverse their commitment to seeing the arts premiums for secondary schools implemented immediately. I am sure Arts Council England, the sector support organisations, and all of us who work in the arts will be keeping a very close eye on those pledges and advocating for the power that the arts can play in people's lives.

It is my yearly Ground Hog Day statement: 'I can't believe we are at the end of the year already!' Is it just that as I get older, the year goes quicker? Anyway, as ever we have had another successful year with highlights including the magnificent Fresh Art@ Exhibition at Bath Artists Studios in May, and the continued work of the peer-led groups who meet regularly, participate in meaningful creative activity, and support each other in their wellbeing.

The work that they produce, be it writing, photography, visual art or craft is exceptional. Similarly, My Time My Space has continued to have a remarkable impact on the Mothers and Mothers-to-be who have taken part in the project, and who have themselves created such beautiful work.

2019 was the third year of the Creative Wellbeing Challenge, our on-line creative programme over August, that has been growing year on year and is now very much part of our creative calendar. This year we interacted with over 200 people who shared their inspirational creative work inspired by the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

Our co|Create programme of support and development went from strength to strength with some truly inspiring and motivational sessions. We also piloted our first ever Enterprise Works course supporting emerging and established artists with their business skills with the focus on them as social entrepreneurs. This was a real success and we have already scheduled our next course for April 2020. Similarly, we piloted our Creative Resilience course and delivered to groups of artists and social entrepreneurs. We will continue to develop and deliver this programme in the future as we have had tremendous feedback from participants.

All of this creative activity would be impossible without the endeavours of the Creativity Works staff team along with our artists and volunteers, who work unremittingly to bring about positive change to people's lives throughout the year. My thanks go to them for their dedication to the cause. Thanks also to our board of trustees who patiently steer our ship, or at least do some of the navigational chart work! Similarly, thanks to our partners and funders for catalysing the work that we do.

Finally, we are delighted that Michael Whitcroft has agreed to be our new Chair. We are all extremely excited to work with Michael in the future as he brings with him a comprehensive skillset, and a genuine passion for the arts and for the vision of our organisation.

I hope you all have a peaceful holiday.

 

Olly

Director, Creativity Works

Our second interview is with Adrian Wyatt who has been a part of the Keynsham Snap & Stroll peer-led group since January this year and who has also been on a range of our co|Create courses.  

What difference does being part of Keynsham Snap & Stroll make?

Massively improved my confidence and a big thing about identity. It's also something about not being alone. You're not alone in how you feel, you're not alone in how you think and realising that creativity is not in opposition to, but a benefit to mental health.

What other Creativity Works courses have you taken part in?

I've done a few now. I did the Mental Health Awareness Course you ran in Bath and it was an epiphany moment. In fact, I was quite teary because it was like all parts of my world had suddenly fitted together. It was like they were no longer four or five jigsaws. I had one jigsaw. And for some reason, all of a sudden, I could just put everything together.

Also, the Journaling one with Jill Carter. You learn if you can create something that's completely and massively outside your comfort zone, it's really fun to do. When I started journaling it tended to be writing and some photographs and had to be neat as that's how I wanted it to be. Now, I've got all these bits of magazines and all that sort of stuff, that I never would have before. I've got arrows going all over the place and all of a sudden it feels far more personal. So, it felt like it gave me a chance to experiment with trying different things. On my Christmas list is a calligraphy writing pen with an old fashioned inkwell!

 

What impact has taking part in Creativity Works courses had on you personally?

For 35 years, I had been in the Police force doing jobs that I never would have applied for. From being a community beat bobby in St. Paul's after the 1980s riots, part of the CID team in Southmead, to working in family liaison and child protection. I was also a minister and had worked at a church in Gloucestershire. I'd thought about retiring but didn't really know what I wanted to do as it had never been something I'd actually stopped to think about.

Doing some of the courses has been a real eye opener about what creativity really means. One of my favourite films is Flashdance, and there's that line in it, Take your passion and make it happen. That's it really. That's exactly what my journey with Creativity Works is really about. I've been able to explore photography and creativity in a completely different way.

It's taken nearly 11 months to identify what the sort of issues were. There's two forms of PTSD; one that's caused by a one-off incident and one that's caused by lots of different things, which is very difficult to deal with. And for the last year or so it has been quite difficult for my wife. And, all of a sudden, since being part of the Keynsham photography group and taking these other courses with Creativity Works, she sees a light at the end of her tunnel as well. Because I'm not someone who's banging my head against a brick wall trying to work out what it is I'm supposed to be doing. I now know, for me, it's about photography and mental health.

The Connect 5 training programme is an accessible, evidenced based course that is relevant to everyone who works or meets with the public. It provides participants with skills and competencies that build confidence in having conversations about mental health and wellbeing. It presents tools to empower others to take proactive steps to build resilience and look after themselves. Connect 5 takes the position that we don't need to be mental health specialists to support those who are experiencing emotional and mental health problems.  Booking now for November to March dates:  Click here for full course info, dates & booking