Photographic Minds- New Brighton Trip

Photographic Minds was established as a social group for adult mental health service users, aiming to improve their well being and empowerment by focusing on the activity of photography. On Tuesday 17th February, as part of the Culture Guides Program the group visited New Brighton for a photo walk. We walked along the front, visited the fort on Perch Rock and went to the driftwood sculpture/ pirate ship known as the black pearl. The group thoroughly enjoyed the trip which has helped to increase their confidence and develop their photography. Further details on the group can be found here.

Reading well, Books on prescription for dementia, Launch event

Reading Well, Books on Prescription for Dementia is a new scheme which is looking to introduce a collection of books on and around dementia offering guidance, support, advice and activities for people with dementia and their carers to access. The aim of the new service is to reduce the stigma associated with dementia. The new scheme will launch in February in all St Helens Libraries, following on from the national campaign launch in January 2015. The launch event took place on the second of February at St Helens Central Library and featured stalls from dementia and mental health support services offering information and advice. Following the official launch there was the Reminiscence Karaoke session featuring guest singers with the aim of classic songs engaging people with dementia and helping to stir their memories. The event was also attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens who had no reservations about joining in! For further details on the reading well scheme please click here

St Helens Ex-Miners Visit National Coal Mining Museum England

As part of the ‘30 Years of project‘ from Re-dock, St Helens Ex-miners were treated to a visit to the National coal mining museum in Wakefeild. The visit included a guided tour down the original Caphouse Colliery mine which is about the height of the Blackpool tower underground. The miners thoroughly enjoyed the trip and had allot to talk about with the guide who himself was an ex-miner. Non ex-miners learned about the atrocious working conditions down the pit which was cramped, dark, dusty, loud and often in sweltering heat. The trip was a brilliant opportunity for the ex-miners of St Helens to reminisce and for non ex-miners to learn anew of the hardships, struggles and victories of mining as well as the huge impact it has had on all of our collective histories.

Stand Up To Stigma Project Finale Celebration

The sell out Stand up to Stigma project rounded up on Friday 16th January at St Helens Central Library with professional stand-up comic, Sam Avery as well as local comedy newcomers. This event was the finale to a six week comedy course involving people with lived experience of mental health issues. Further details on the Stand up to Stigma project can be found here. A huge thank you to all involved in Stand Up To Stigma and to everyone who came along on the night!  

New exhibit gives fascinating insight into The Dream monument

The new exhibit at The World of Glass St Helens features a small prototype version of The Dream, two square pieces of the unique ‘Dream Mix’ which is composed of Spanish Dolomite Marble and English concrete. One of which is signed by the artist Jaume Plensa and includes a self portrait. There is also an original miners tally which inspired the base of The Dream, a limited edition Dream stamp and a copy of the radio times which tells the story of how St Helens were the only site of seven, including major cities, to commission and produce a piece of artwork. A massive achievement.

New artworks in St Helens Central Library

The new arts exhibition is on the second floor of the Library building and features work from photographer Alan Smith‘s ‘The Present Past’ project, which documents local businesses which have been going since the 1930’s when his parents were young.

Also on display is ‘Seven’ which features work from local artists and is facilitated by local arts collective, Yellow Door Artists.

For further details on St Helens Central Library including opening times, location and facility’s click here.

 

30 Years Of…

30 Years of.. is a new creative heritage project for the ex-mining community in St.Helens. This activity combines heritage and creative technology, it is suitable for people of all ages, from 8 to 98. This year it is 30 years since the 1984 miners’ strike, which opposed the government’s policy of pit closures. Re-Dock & MCQN ltd., are working with the ex-mining community of St.Helens to create an interactive exhibition of intelligent mining artifacts. Further details can be found here.

Stand Up To Stigma Project Finale Celebration

The sell out Stand up to Stigma project rounds up on Friday 16th January from 5pm – 7pm at St Helens Central Library with professional stand-up comic, Sam Avery and local comedy newcomers. This event is the finale to a six week comedy course involving people with lived experience of mental health issues. Further details on the Stand up to Stigma project can be found here.

Nutgrove Methodist School Dream Tour

Children from Nutgrove Methodist school were recently treated to a tour of the Dream monument located on the site of the former colliery in Sutton Manor.

The class were very impressed with the trip and made the following comments:

• I enjoyed the walk up to the Dream. I enjoyed it with you Gary. I think it was the best trip ever, Thank You.
• I loved the School trip, I loved the Dream, thank you for taking us to the dream.
• I liked the Dream the best because it was jinamas and it was really interesting. Thank you for taking us there.
• I liked it when you said when we get round the corner there will be… the Dream. I was so excited and happy and amazed.
• I can’t believe that you know so much. I want to go again. Did you enjoy it Gary?
• Thank you Gary for telling us about the Dream Gary, now I know everything about the Dream!

Other Ways Of Telling Cut A Track

The ‘Other Ways Of Telling’ workshops at Addaction is mid project and progressing brilliantly. On Friday the group, along with facilitator, Aiden Jolly, started laying down a track that the recovery group had written.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The level of creativity and musicianship from this particular group is great with clients playing and singing solely on the track.

 

 

 

 

 

Carole of course is laying down the vocals with Frank on Bass, Jimmy on guitar and Neil putting down a rhythm that the band ‘Santana’ would have been proud of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The track for me has a ‘Allman Brothers’ feel to it and when I left the group they were writing the powerful lyrics to it. I for one just cant wait to hear the final performance.