Residents of South Cumbria now have access to a mental health programme, which aims to improve wellbeing through visual art, nature, mindfulness and creative workshops.
The project, now in its second year, has received new funding from the Arts Council England’s Thriving Communities Fund.
Phoenix Rising offers free, online and interactive workshops accessible from home and this year sees the addition of Preston-based yoga and wellbeing service Mandala, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, and The Gathering Fields which aims to bring a new offering to the sessions.
Programmes will last six weeks and be available over the next 12 months offering a wide range of sessions including arts, nature and physical wellbeing.
Recovery College senior operations manager for LSCft, Suzie Smith said: “It’s important now more than ever to provide services and programmes for those struggling with their mental health.”
The project pilot in 2020 saw a series of creative workshops, led by 23 contemporary visual artists, who explored ways of using the visual arts to engage with people and enhance their mental wellbeing.
In total 75 workshops were delivered, to the benefit of 125 participants.
Chief executive of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Caroline Donovan said: “This was a fantastic project that really created an impact throughout the Lancashire and South Cumbria communities.
“Now we are able to launch the programme for a second time with the aim of continuing the great work achieved by so many collaborators.”
The programme will begin in June, with some taster sessions for the Kirkby Lonsdale area starting at the end of this month.
For more information on Phoenix Rising or Green Close and eligibility, visit www.lscft.nhs.uk
