"I am low on confidence but passionate about visual art...getting it out there is a real boost for me! I'm not one for pushing myself. Arts and Minds gives me the kick up the a**e that I needed."
The Arts & Minds Network brings together people in Leeds who believe creativity can promote mental well being. We support creative people who have had mental health issues, but we also encourage everyone to be more creative, whether they are using mental health services or not. The network is open to anyone who in Leeds wants to see the growth of creativity and mental health - including service users, carers, mental health workers, artists, arts organisations and mental health organisations, anyone with an interest in the issues!
Arts & Minds is funded by Leeds & York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust and works with a wide range of partners. We work in NHS services and in the community to develop projects with partnerships at their heart. For example, in 2011 we founded the Love Arts Festival, a celebration of creativity and mental well-being, held every October in Leeds. The festival features exhibitions, performances, workshops, and conferences all programmed with our partners. In 2016 we were instrumental in setting up Beyond, a new bi-annual festival of learning disability and the arts.
Arts & Minds is a membership organisation – please join us. It’s free and it’s easy to join! The benefits to joining include:
- regular updates on groups, workshops and events around creativity & mental health in Leeds
- discounts in arts shops
- exhibition opportunities
- membership of our arts support groups
- invitations to events and training
Arts & Minds is run by Linda Boyles and Jane Mullins, alongside some amazing volunteers. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more.