This project unites artists with lived experience of mental health problems, young people and local organisations committed to disrupting traditional norms and redefining the notion of creative prescription.
Artlink Central and Macrobert Arts Centre have worked closely with local partner organisations including NHS Forth Valley to identify a diverse range of young people to explore mental health and wellbeing through a creative lens.
Based on our ongoing collaboration across health, education, and community with various organisations, including Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, schools and those supporting diverse, care-experienced, and other marginalised groups of young people, we are aware of the limited support options available for young people facing mental health challenges, and the lack of co-designed services and support.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, we aim to use this project to move away from a clinical approach, instead prioritising creative and cultural prescribing that avoids harm, resists stigma and centres on providing care options.
This cafe is run by volunteers in the rural village of Buchlyvie, providing a range of activities for local young people.
Andy Sherlow is a director and videographer based in Edinburgh, with a background in performative theatre arts as an actor. As a facilitator, he also likes to work with different groups to create films based on their interests.
Young people explored theatre and filmmaking by creating short pieces inspired by animals and rural life, as well as exploring wellbeing.
Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre aim to ensure that carers of all ages are recognised, valued, receive the information and support they need, and are empowered to have a life of their own outside caring.
Andy has a background in film and creative facilitation, working on a variety of projects. These include initiatives with young people and a creative project exploring filmmaking with people living with dementia in care settings.
Explored theatre and filmmaking with six young people by co-creating short film works and exploring their identity as young adult carers.
Etive House is attached to St Modan's High School, Stirling. Some learners attend mainstream classes within St Modan's while others do not. Etive House promotes outdoor learning, enterprise and creativity.
Alan is a Community Arts Workshop Leader, musician, and sound designer. He has worked with Artlink Central, Beatroute Arts, and Good Vibrations for several years, bringing together art, sound, and technology in inclusive projects.
We made zines, developed avatars using the Create & Converge journal, and created large masks based on our avatars, which we then used in photographs. We continue to work together.
Expressive Arts at Larbert High School have a strong focus on arts and media and engage in a range of community-focused projects, including the Reimagining Spaces pilot as part of the Developing Young Workforce programme, in collaboration with local architects and other industry professionals.
Aya is a visual artist and animator who has worked with Artlink Central and Macrobert Arts Centre in employed and freelance roles over many years. She leads on mental health for Artlink Central as Senior Development Artist.
Working within the classroom environment, the project has used print-making as a vehicle for exploring themes around wellbeing through the use of layers, colour and collage.
Stirling Champs is a service and space for care-experienced young people in the centre of Stirling, offering a wide range of opportunities and support.
Edel is a clinical psychologist and researcher who believes there is a role for comedy in mental health support. Edel has performed in a number of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and with Bright Club.
The project offered young people the chance to explore and develop stand-up comedy and improvisation skills to express themselves through a trauma-informed lens.
LGBT Youth Scotland are Scotland’s national charity for LGBTQ+ young people aged 13-25, supporting all aspects of their lives through the provision of amazing youth work, and supporting them to use their voice to create change.
Daniel is a multi-skilled theatre maker and artist who has worked across the UK and internationally. His work merges different art forms to create a strong visual identity for performance and creative exploration.
We explored a variety of LGBTQIA+ topics such as flower language and queer symbols. We also shared our own interests such as photography, creative writing and Greek Mythology.