Twenty for Twenty Project
28 March 2024This year we are delighted to mark the 20th anniversary of Arts for Health MK becoming an independent charity in May 2004.
Twenty for Twenty is a web-based project intending to spread awareness of our charity and shine a spotlight on The Collection during our anniversary year. For the project we have invited twenty people from different walks of life to select a work from The Collection and to tell us about its personal significance, interest or appeal to them... continue reading here.
New Artworks on Loan from Paintings in Hosptials
27 March 2024Image: Installation view; Formation No.12 Acrylic on Canvas, 1983
Sylvia Guirey; © Courtesy of the artist, Paintings in Hosptials.
This month Arts for Health MK are thrilled to have welcomed five new artworks on long term loan to Milton Keynes University Hospital from the Paintings in Hospitals Collection.
Artworks from renowned artist Carol Rhodes, John McNeil and Sylvia Guirey join seven other artworks from their collection already on display throughout the hospital.
The artworks from the Paintings in Hospital collection are specifically selected with care settings in mind, to enhance the environment and improve patient and staff wellbeing. This selection of artworks was chosen in consultation with staff from the Maple Centre, specifically around the themes of light, nature and bringing the outdoors in, as echoed in the original building design; they feature recognisable landscapes such as the White Horse at Kilburn.
IATE Student Art Therapist - Julie Laugere
26 March 2024“I am a trainee art psychotherapist and counsellor who works using a variety of art forms to aide expression and communication. I am also an artist and teacher with over 30 years of experience working with children. I am currently working with pupils who are struggling to access mainstream education or are in a specialist alternative provision. Working creatively as a teacher, artist and trainee therapist, I am able to support the wellbeing of pupils who may be unable to access school due to anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance, special educational needs or medical needs.
Art psychotherapy can be especially helpful when words are difficult, painful or impossible. You do not need to be good at art, instead these sessions explore your story, feelings and emotions which may arise as you create art or on reflection, helping to process in a contained, non-judgemental, safe space, with the therapist as a witness.
Since September, I have been privileged to have worked with three clients from Arts for Health MK for 50-minute weekly sessions over a period of 3-6 months. These quotes from clients, allow us an insight into their recent art therapy experiences”:
“Life changing, and trauma releasing in a safe environment. Julie helped me find and connect with my inner child self again.” The therapy allowed for “rewarding progress” and was “patient focused, amazing.”
Receiving these funded art therapy sessions, “have added so much more ‘peace and presence’ to my life”.
“I have found my art therapy very helpful. I feel my anxiety is better, and I am better on my own. I feel my therapist has enabled me to feel more confident in myself, giving me strategies to help me get off to sleep at night. Also, she has given me a space I feel comfortable talking about a lot of difficult issues.”
As a student and client of art therapy
“As a student studying an MA in Art Psychotherapy and Counselling, I have had the opportunity to experience art therapy as a client. Working and processing my own narrative, my inner world and my relationship with others through the arts, has been life changing. The following is an image created during an art therapy session, which explored my relationship to others within a group. The image through discussion in therapy, led to an awareness of fixed patterns of relating in groups, which with insight I was able to begin to change.”
“Diving in and connecting”
“This example shows a variety of art materials being used to create a self-portrait, which led to further work exploring different parts of myself and shame”:
‘Self-portrait, another part of me’
“Through psychotherapy using the arts, we can have the opportunity to not only explore ourselves and relationships using the visual arts, but also by using a sand tray, puppets, music, drama, clay, poetry and the body. All of which can offer us a channel to access and express difficult emotions, feelings and tell our stories.”
“After completing my placement, I am planning to register with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) where I hope to go on to offer therapy through the arts in private practice, with groups and in community settings.”
Call for Creative Courtyard Volunteers
14 March 2024Arts for Health MK are looking to expand their pool of
volunteers to help look after some of the green spaces at Milton Keynes
University Hospital.
Volunteering sessions are great way to meet other like-minded people, who enjoy the wellness benefits of the great outdoors. We just know you will go away with a sense of accomplishment that you have helped keep the Creative Courtyards looking their best for patients, staff and visitors.
We welcome volunteers with little or lots of gardening experience, and we would love to hear your interests too. Maybe you can bring your passion for wildlife to help us make the spaces more welcoming for butterflies, your carpentry skills to fashion a new planter, or are a dab hand with the paintbrush to give a bench a makeover. There are lots of basic gardening tasks such as weeding, planting and pruning too.
Who is this opportunity suitable for?
Adults aged 18+ who are able to take part in light gardening duties. We are particularly interested in hearing from adults 35-65 identifying as male who are looking to make new friends or for opportunities to get out and about, as this group have been identified as less likely to access social support networks or volunteer within their local community.
When? We currently have a regular spruce of the courtyards on Tuesdays between 1 and 3 pm and other ad hoc sessions throughout the good weather season. A hot or cold drink will be provided.
To register your interest or for further information, please contact info@artsforhealthmk.org.uk
Please indicate in your email your interests and availability for regular or ad hoc opportunities. Read more about the creative courtyards here:
https://artsforhealthmk.org.uk/Creative-Courtyards
This project is kindly supported by Community Action: MK
Winter newsletter 2024
30 January 2024We have just published our Winter newsletter!
It includes news, partnerships, workshops, creative courtyards, project updates, volunteers update, opportunities and temporary exhibitions.
To view the newsletter online click here︎
︎ Sign up for our future newsletters here.
Office
Arts for Health Milton Keynes
Facilities Directorate
Milton Keynes Hospital
Standing Way
Eaglestone
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
Privacy Policy
Arts for Health Milton Keynes
Facilities Directorate
Milton Keynes Hospital
Standing Way
Eaglestone
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
Privacy Policy
Arts for Health Milton Keynes is the working name of MK Arts for Health charity number 1107625 company number 05137693