I GIVE up some of my time to a network of local voluntary groups and organisations that help people with mental health issues particularly where the arts or heritage are involved.
Rather than stay at home and be bored for little expense people can join groups and socialise.
There is an initiative that is an arts and health scheme which offers a creative outlet to reduce some of the symptoms of mild depression, stress or anxiety.
People can be referred onto the scheme by a health or social care professional or they can also self-refer if they wish to do so. There will be six blocks of creative workshops that a person can attend over the duration of the 12 week programme and each workshop will have 12 places on them. For those interested in signing up three blocks will be starting in autumn and another three early in 2016. For details email helen@creativealternatives.org.uk.
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