RCE North East-2013

rce_proj_title_2013
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1. Project Title: 
Colour Your Life with Arts on Prescription
3. Project partner contact information : 
Organization: 
Jack Drum Arts
Role: 
Facilitator
Main Contact: 
Helen Ward
5. Project description
Provide a short description of the project including strategies, regional challenges, aims and specific project activities.: 

‘Colour your Life’ is an Arts on Prescription service funded by the NHS which aims to provide free access to artistic and creative activities promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.

Using professional experienced artists ‘Colour your Life’ supports people of all abilities whilst providing opportunities for friendship in a safe welcoming and supportive environment.

The programme is successfully run as a consortium partnership by the Pioneering Care Partership, Leisureworks and Jack Drum Arts who between them run studio and outreach activities throughout County Durham.

The project is an innovative NHS response to the growing number of people presenting with mental health problems in a time of austerity when work is scarce and anxieties high.

There are very strong connections between deprivation and poor health. The County Durham Local Area Agreement talked of ‘a mutually reinforcing link between higher rates of poor health, mental illness and premature death, and low income, economic inactivity, and low levels of education and skills’ (LAA, 2006, 66). County Durham’s Joint strategic Needs Assessment predicts that the number of people with depression in County Durham will rise by nearly 50% in the years leading to 2030. The numbers of people with severe depression are expected to be even higher at nearly 55% increase.


7. Provide references and reference materials : 
6. Project status
On Going
Description: 
Jack Drum Arts runs the Durham Dales Arts on Prescription hub. As part of the Lindisfarne Gospels Festival in 2013 clients in the Dales area enjoyed themed projects inspired by the heritage, history and artwork surrounding the story of St Cuthbert and the other Northern Saints. Groups went on trips to heritage sites and enjoyed talks by experts from a number of disciplines. Together with their artist/tutors they then collaborated on a range of exciting projects for a group exhibition as well as making films, animations and sound art. One group of clients studied old English poetry for a public reading in Escomb Saxon Church. Working with professional artists, as opposed to art therapists, elevates the work and affords the clients a feel-good factor when they witness the results of their efforts being shared, appreciated and enjoyed with the wider public.
Promo film - https://vimeo.com/72759470#
8. Tagging
Region: 
Europe