The Inside Out Project has been running for a number of years, providing arts activities to adults (post 16years) within Caerphilly county borough who have been identified as being at risk of developing a mental health problem or who are suffering from mental health issues.
During the last year we were invited to become part of the Multi-Agency Partnership Service (or MAPS) within Caerphilly county borough, through which we hope to raise awareness of the project and become a key part of the team delivering mental health services within the county borough. Once the MAPS partnership is operational we will be able to take referrals from a central Occupational Therapist thus allowing us to reach more people and direct them to our work.
Our programme of work is aimed at providing participants with an opportunity to learn new skills in a range of art forms that include visual arts, music, drama and dance as well as to provide a platform for sharing and exhibiting work as and when the participants feel confident enough to do so.
The reason for providing this type of showcasing opportunity is not only to encourage the participants in their personal development mentally, socially and creatively, but also to raise awareness of mental health issues and help to remove the stigma and discrimination attached to society's perceptions of mental health.
The Inside Out Project provides special 'Introduction to the Arts Courses' in the varying art forms giving participants the chance to develop existing skills and learn new ones including transferable skills such as group work, communication and oral skills. These introductory sessions run for one afternoon a week for 12 weeks.
We also run a number of 'art clubs' around the county borough on a rolling programme that are less rigid and provide an opportunity for participants to continue practicing their new skills and maintaining new friendships after the 12-week course has come to end.
For further information on the project go to www.inside-out-cymru.org or email info@inside-out-cymru.org.