How art can empower people’s wellbeing journeys
At East Kent Mind we run two Creative Art groups – one in Ramsgate and one in Margate.
Art can help improve people’s mental health and wellbeing in a number of ways. There is a range of evidence that shows art helps reduce stress and anxiety; improves mood and emotional expression; helps with social connection and belonging, and has a range of brain health benefits – including stimulating the mind and improving cognitive function, as well as helping with mindfulness and reflection.
To find out more about the Creative Art groups and how they help people (and to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week), we talked to the group facilitator Jacqui Wheeler.
Jacqui has been with Mind since 2015, after obtaining a degree in Health and Wellbeing from the University of Greenwich. The groups are funded by Live Well Kent and Medway.
What inspired you to start the Art Group?
During the pandemic, and feeling isolated, I became creative, even though I had not picked up a paintbrush or done anything arty for many, many years. It became a great healing process for myself, and a distraction in an uncertain world.
When I moved from Bexley to East Kent during this time, I continued to work for Mind in Bexley and East Kent. I sat in on a few East Kent Mind online creative groups which inspired me to question how art could bring joy to individuals and support their mental health – so the Creative Art group was set up as soon as restrictions were lifted in April 2022.
Jacqui Wheeler and the Ramsgate Creative Art Group
Around the same time, I started a course to become a Holistic Creative Practitioner which I completed in 2023. I am now on the Master Practitioner of Holistic Creative Therapy programme so that I can deepen my understanding of the intricate connections between the arts, mind, body and spirit, which I try to bring to the sessions at Ramsgate and other venues.
How do you see art helping people in their mental health journeys?
The Creative Art groups enable individuals struggling with their mental health, to participate in creative exercises to unlock self-expression and inner healing.
The group provides a safe, non-judgemental place, where they can meet others in similar positions.
We try to encourage individuals to tap into their creative side, whether or not they have any creative experience in the past, as everybody has the ability to create their own masterpiece. I see first-hand each week how creating art has improved confidence levels, enabled friendships to flourish, and improved individuals’ wellbeing.
The East Kent Mind Ramsgate venue where the group is run has a cosy, café feel and individuals have commented on how they feel at home when the place becomes familiar to them and say there is a calming quality to the place. The group has also run from Herne Bay Umbrella Centre, and The Margate Art School, and more recently in the Gallery at The Margate Gateway in Cecil Square – helping us reach a wider community.
What type of art does the group work on?
In the groups, we have practised positive affirmations, and gratitude in our art work, whether that is on canvas, paper, tiles, masks or material. We have worked on identity, hope, aspirations, and have recreated famous artists’ paintings putting our own spin on each. As a facilitator there have been times where I have not previously experimented with the mode of art, and the individuals in the group have brought their own strengths and ideas to each project which has empowered them to become more confident in their creative abilities.
We have also tried decoupage on oyster shells, papier-mâché for mask making, and work on many recycled materials donated to us, such as creating wellbeing T-shirt designs, slates, tiles, fabrics, and much more. Decoupage is a particular favourite and we will be showing how to decoupage oyster shells on the day of the exhibition so that visitors can also join in. (Exhibition information here)
There will also be canvases set up on the day for visitors to use paint materials. In the summer months, over the last few years, we have taken the easels outside and painted in local open areas which the group have really enjoyed.
Can you share a memorable success story?
In 2023 when facilitating a group at the Margate Art School the group collaborated on a large piece of art ‘A Wellbeing Tree’ which is displayed in their garden in the Old Town area of Margate. The tree was created with stones glued on 12 large slate roof tiles, which displayed ‘The Five Ways to Wellbeing’ by the group participants at that time.
I think the Art Exhibition this month (Wednesday 14th May) will be a great success as it will be an opportunity for individuals that have never painted in the past, to showcase their stunning creations on the day.
What impact has the group had on the broader community?
I would say that the individuals that have attended creative art have helped in addressing the stigma around mental health in the East Kent area.
The Ramsgate Mind building is a community hub where enquiries can be made regarding the Creative Art group and other face-to-face groups that are run there such as Make, Mend and Motivate, and Chatty Wednesday, as well as the psycho-educational courses; The Five Ways to Wellbeing, Coping with Depression, and Coping with Anxiety.
People often pop by to collect the information booklets for others in the community and those that cannot attend the face-to-face groups are able to access a varied timetable of online groups and our mentoring programme.
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Thanks to Jacqui for taking the time in her busy schedule to talk about the Creative Art group and the benefits it provides.
If you would like to find out more about the Creative Art group, or any of East Kent Mind activities, please visit our Wellbeing Activities page that features the Timetable, Activities Programme and the Registration Form – here: eastkentmind.org.uk/wellbeing-activities
If you would like more information about Live Well Kent, please visit their website at: livewellkent.org.uk
