Wilson_2015.pdf (83.3 kB)
A qualitative study of 2Create: A mental health service user-led art group
journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 14:46 authored by Ceri Wilson, Lyn KentBackground: 2Create is a mental health service user-led art group in the UK established by graduates of Open Arts, a community arts and mental health project. The study aimed to explore group members’ experiences over its first year.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five current and one former member of 2Create.
Results: Key themes related to organisation (evolving; flexibility; finance; leadership challenges), the studio environment, personal gains (social inclusion; self-esteem; well-being) and future plans (increasing membership; exhibitions; funding applications; social events).
Conclusion: The gains reported indicate that 2Create is beneficial to its members. Although a number of challenges were identified, all participants identified personal and group-wide gains and emphasised that challenges are to be expected when setting up a new group. The key implication for independent mental health user-led arts groups is that support is needed in the early stages and that independence can then be achieved with time.
History
Refereed
- Yes
Volume
8Issue number
2Page range
169-181Publication title
Arts and Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy and PracticeISSN
1753-3023External DOI
Publisher
Taylor & FrancisFile version
- Accepted version
Language
- eng