Members of the public can now try a free art workshop in Southend to improve their psychological wellbeing following an ongoing successful pilot with staff at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
The workshop called “A Grey Woven Portrait” have been developed by Dr Amit Sharma, a consultant psychiatrist and an artist. The workshop use simple art materials and clear instructions to guide participants through the process of drawing a self-portrait and then weaving reflections through it.
Dr Sharma said: “I have combined my work as a consultant psychiatrist with my experience as an artist to implement this new approach to psychological wellbeing by acknowledging vulnerabilities and strengths. The approach I use in the workshops helps participants process emotions and experiences using art and expressive drawing.”
Dr Sharma adds: “I am really pleased with the success of the workshops with EPUT staff. Over 130 + staff have attended these workshops in various geographical locations of EPUT such as Rochford, Basildon, Ipswich, Harlow and Colchester. The feedback has been very encouraging and positive and then I decided to build on this and give members of the public the opportunity to attend a workshop.”
This unique workshop for the public, led by Dr Amit Sharma, will be held at the Focal Point Gallery in Southend on 24 October and invites participants to explore memories, emotions and resilience through creative self-expression.
Dr Sharma said: “Participants can join for 20 minutes, or they are welcome to be in the gallery the full day!” The workshop unfolds in three parts: creating, weaving and discussing. Throughout, the focus is on experimentation; changing, combining and developing what you have created, and discovering where the process takes you.
Kim Davey from the Focal Point Gallery said: “This is a slow, thoughtful workshop, developed in response to the themes and ideas explored within our exhibition, Compulsory Continuous Connectedness. It offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and spend time with your own thoughts and experiences through the process of making.”
Further information about the workshop and to book can be found at Creative Open Day: Grey Woven Portrait | Focal Point Gallery
About EPUT
- EPUT has a vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care: Who we are – Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.
- The organisation has invested in inpatient facilities and community services to make them safer and more therapeutic. We have extensively invested in technology to keep patients safer, enhanced training, and are continuously working with our staff, patients, their families and carers to use learning and best practice to enhance our quality of care.
- While there is more to do, the Trust has made significant progress through innovation:
- Our 111 mental health crisis phone line ensures people in need can access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- People with lived experience have been employed in designated roles across the Trust, ensuring patient voice is heart of the organisation and all that we do.
- A number of new initiatives have been launched, helping people access the support they need when they need it most. These include a mental health urgent care department, By Your Side maternal mental health service, Rough Sleeper team, mental health crisis ambulance cars, virtual wards and neuromodulation service.
- EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 and provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk. We employ more than 7,200 staff working across more than 200 sites.
- To read more about our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible, visit https://eput.nhs.uk/about-us/2023-2028-strategic-plan/