Open Arts Rochford Art Trail Showcase

South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s Open Arts team are participating in this year’s Rochford Art Trail.
Open Arts will be showcasing a range of artworks, drawings, paintings and prints at The Pavilion at the Rochford Hotel, Rochford. The art trail runs from Thursday 18 until Saturday 27 September 2014.

The Open Arts Showcase runs across two days, Thursday 18 September and Saturday 27 September, 10.30 to 15.00 - where you can see the actual studio in operation, with participants working hard on their artwork. Come along to meet the artists and studio members to find out about Open Arts and how art can benefit your wellbeing through self-expression.

Open Arts Studio is a development of the well-established Open Arts project which encourages artists to work independently as an artist in a studio environment, alongside other artists with the support of each other and a Studio Manager.

Open Arts is open to people who are experiencing mental ill health and those at risk, such as carers.

To find out more or sign up contact Open Arts open.arts@sept.nhs.uk or call 01277 312916.

There is also a website for Rochford Arts Trail, which is http://www.rochford.gov.uk/arttrail

ENDS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Kate Witham, on 01268 739757 or email kate.witham@sept.nhs.uk

More Information about SEPT
With an annual turnover of approximately £320m South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT) is one of the most successful Foundation Trusts in the country providing integrated care including mental health, learning disability, social care and community services.

We provide these services across Bedfordshire, Essex and Luton and Suffolk, employ approximately 7,000 people and serve a population of 2.5 million. We work with a wide range of partner organisations to deliver care and support to people in their own homes and from a number of hospital and community based premises. We have many modern community based resource centres and clinics to provide local services to local people where possible.

Notes to Editors:

1. Open Arts is an arts and mental health programme run by South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT), which has been in practice in South Essex since January 2008.

To date the programme has benefitted over 600 people with mental health difficulties, with proven results of improved wellbeing and social inclusion. The programme offers 12 week introductory arts courses that are accredited with National Open College Network (NOCN) at level 2 (for participants) and level 3.(for volunteers) The courses are very popular with many clients working to continue and develop their practice. The project has a strong body of evaluation and research to provide an evidence base for the efficacy of this work, with significant results on improved wellbeing and social inclusion.