How art is helping those with mental health issues in Sheffield

A Sheffield charity is helping 60 people overcome their mental health issues by giving them a new focus in life – through art.
Four Years: A journey in art and clay exhibition - some work on display by artist DanFour Years: A journey in art and clay exhibition - some work on display by artist Dan
Four Years: A journey in art and clay exhibition - some work on display by artist Dan

The Art House is a registered charity that has been open to the public since August 2015.

It was set up to allow people to learn new skills, develop their creativity and be among like-minded individuals.

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The charity has a particular focus on working with those who have mental health issues, through a range of art and pottery classes.

Elesha, one of the well-being workshop attendees, has been going to The Art House since 2016.

She said: “Art has become my passion.”

Having suffered from depression and anxiety, art has helped her ‘feel free, calm and alive’.

Elesha explained: “When I can’t get to sleep, I get up and do some art.

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“I still have anxiety and have ups and downs but it is less severe now. I have a routine and structure to my week. I feel like a normal human being again. Rather than saying what I used to be and feeling useless, which is how depression makes you feel, I am an artist now. I have a purpose and feel useful. I want to inspire people to give art a go. You never know where it will lead.”

In the future, she hopes to run art workshops, as well as exhibit and sell her own work.

She would encourage others to give art a go, especially at the Art House, which she has described as a ‘friendly place’.

Elesha said: “Anyone can do it.”

Ben, another of the well-being workshop attendees, has been an Art House regular since it opened its doors.

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He said: “The best thing about going is creating something and seeing it come to life. The Art House has helped me regain my confidence and I have now progressed into volunteering too.”

Despite some of his art taking a few weeks to complete, Ben explained there is ‘more on the way’.

Summarising his experience at Art House, Ben said: “You always leave wanting to return for more.”

The social enterprise seeks to offer a sense of belonging, as well as a chance to meet others and develop as an artist.

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Well-being coordinator Sarah Vanic, said: “It’s not just about art, it’s also helping people to prepare for exhibitions and growing their confidence.

“The well-being classes see people from a range of different backgrounds but we would like to reach out to more.

People may have very mild mental health to severe mental health.”

As well as supporting individuals through art projects, well-being workers are on hand to help them build other skills such as decision-making, problem solving and planning.

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Sarah believes Art House has been doing ‘good’ for the four years they have been running, but thinks more could be offered out of hours.

She said: “We are looking at offering evening classes.”

An exhibition called Four Years: A Journey in Art and Clay was held in September, featuring work by some of the well-being class attendees. It demonstrated what has been, and can be, achieved by individuals like Elesha and Ben.

Visit www.arthousesheffield.co.uk for more information.