Get involved in our autumnal arts and crafts campaign this World Mental Health Day

Hull Scrapstore and Health Stars have come together this World Mental Health Day, to provide craft packs for mental health and learning disability inpatient units across Hull and the East Riding.

These creative packs are filled with arts and crafts materials and are being delivered in time for inpatients to get involved in seasonal activities on World Mental Health Day, which occurs on Monday 10^th October this year.

The collaboration between the two charities aims to highlight how art can be a useful mindfulness tool, helping to reduce feelings of stress and to promote a positive mental state.

A digital version of the craft pack is also available, to encourage more people to explore the benefits of creative activities on their mental health. Download it here.

Health Stars is our Trust Charity, who promote the development of exceptional healthcare. This goes above and beyond core NHS services through investment in environments, resources, training, and research. The charity invests tens of thousands into the local NHS every year.

Scrapstore is a low-cost arts and crafts community centre located on Dairycoates Avenue in Hull. The charity was set up in 1988 and is run by a small team of core staff and dedicated volunteers. As well as providing scrap in the store, which is run for the benefit of members who work with children and young people, they facilitate a large number of creative art and play workshops in local schools, communitity groups and at open events.

Hull Scrapstore and the Trust are encouraging people to submit photos of their creations on social media. Just tag them @HumberNHSFT and @HullScrapstore.

James Wear, Art Psychotherapist at our Trust, said:

“Art making can be a soothing and engaging activity. It has intrinsic mindful qualities that can aid relaxation and focus the mind. The act of making art and craft can allow people to grow in confidence, develop skills and connect to a wider world of creative and social opportunities.

Working with our hands to make and shape art materials can distract us from worries and concerns and engage us in creating something new.  Whether doodling, colouring, painting, sculpting, or designing, the creative process of art making can provide us with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

So, give it a try – pick up a pencil, take a sheet of paper and create something today!”

Emma Quarterman, Curriculum and Development Manager at Hull Scrapstore, said:

“Scrapstore has been providing creative workshops to schools, nurseries, community groups, churches, local authorities and festivals for over 32 years. It’s where we started our journey and became the organisation we are today. We recycle clean materials that would normally be on their way to landfill, all sourced by our own resource manager Tracey Thomas.

We believe in making, in play and in creativity – for all! Getting creative is a fundamental part of development, both physical and mental. Our collaboration with Humber has given us the opportunity to create 14 of our ‘DIY workshops in a box’ for World Mental Health Day and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone’s fabulous creations!”

Michele Moran, our Chief Executive, said:

“It is wonderful to be working together with Scrapstore on this fantastic campaign. Our Trust Charity, Health Stars, always go the extra mile to help our staff and service users feel encouraged and involved in awareness days such as this one.

We hope people feel empowered to take part in the arts and crafts activities with us, and we look forward to seeing what people create!”

We will be active on social media throughout the week, sharing information about how you can seek support, engage with art activities, and you can also hear from their teams about how they feel about mental health and wellbeing.

We aim to spark conversation, to break down stigma surrounding mental health and remind people it’s ok to talk about how you are feeling.

We’re also asking local communities to ‘check in’ with their mental wellbeing this World Mental Health Day. If you live in Hull or the East Riding and want to find out what options are available to you, visit: https://www.humber.nhs.uk/contact/get-support.htm