Arts for Health MK: Blog












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Supportive Conversations
18 September 2024


Courtyard Community Action Days
August 2024

Artists’ Health and Wellbeing Booklet
14 June 2024


Our Impact Leaflet - Download
04 June 2024


20th Anniversary Event
25 May 2024


New Artwork for MKUH Collection
25 May 2024

Spring Newsletter 2024
16 May 2024


Project Update:
Creative Play - Music and Song
07 May 2024


Project Update: Headstart
02 May 2024


Impact of The Collection
01 May 2024


Twenty for Twenty
28 March 2024


New Artworks on Loan from Paintings in Hosptials
27 March 2024

IATE Student Art Therapist - Julie Laugere

26 March 2024

Call for Creative Courtyard Volunteers
14 March 2024

Winter Newsletter 2024
30 January 2024


A Supportive Conversation with Dr Esther Aslan 
26 January 2024


Feel Good Foods Cookbook
21 November 2023


AGM 22nd Nov 2023
2 November 2023


Music workshops
24 August 2023

AHA Inclusivity & Diversity Badge
20 July 2023


Gill Quinnell - degree show
20 June 2023


Summer Newsletter
16 June 2023


Courtyards Update
6 June 2023


Movement and Dance with Kate Taylor - Taster Session
9 May 2023


Artist’s Listening Event
20 March 2023


Winter Newsletter
8 December 2022

Drumming Circle

6 December 2022

Courtyards Update
1 November 2022

MK DAD 2022
14 July 2022

Our First Newsletter
16 June 2022

Art Psychotherapy
20 May 2022

Exploring Identities
10 May 2022


Peter-Randall Page Sculpture 
March 2022


Trustee Vacancy
16th July 2021

MKDAD 2021
14 July 2021

Music4Mindfulness

12th April 2021

Programme Update
5th February 2021

Exhibition MK Gallery Project Space
Update 1 December 2020
Update 5th November 2020

16th October 2020

Heritage Open Days 2020
 
11-20 September 2020

We are recruiting:  Freelance Fundraiser 
15th July 2020

Jazz Moreton Spaghetti For Two:
MKDAD 2020
13th July 2020

Call for Entries:
Arts for Health MK Gallery – Online

24th April 2020

Online Resources
- we would love to hear your feedback

March 2020

Covid-19 virus statement
and effects on Arts for Health MK public activities

March 2020

New art exhibition from paintings in hospitals
November 2019

Call for Entries:
Exhibit at Milton Keynes University Hospital

September 2019

Call for Artists:
MKDAD Open Art Exhibition

June 2019


Artist profile: Bill Billings
June 2018


Feature Friday: Hannah Wilson 2018









Since January we have hosted a placement student from the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education (IATE).

20 May 2022



Anya Amrith is currently working on her Masters in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy Course and has been working with 2 of our clients to deliver art psychotherapy sessions. They have been very well received and another 2 clients have started this month!

What is integrative psychotherapy?

Anya has been offering free weekly 50 minute sessions in a private non-judgemental space. These one-to-one sessions enable the client to explore any challenges they may be facing, and together they can recognise and understand individual experiences.

Anya uses a creative approach, as it can be difficult to find the words to talk about our experiences. This could involve exploring art as image using a variety of materials, bodywork, sound, dreams in addition to words. Anya accommodates how the client wants to communicate as a person, and no artistic ability is required!




Anya says:

I am deeply interested in creative communication and empowering people to reach their potential, improve their mental health and wellbeing. I have gained certification in Counselling Skills and Facilitation, which has taught me many valuable skills including empathic listening and responding, the presence I bring and being able to provide a safe container for a client. I have a Postgraduate Certificate in the Therapeutic Arts, which has been instrumental in developing the skills required to facilitate people in order to grow their own confidence and awareness using Creative Psychotherapy. I’ve spent over 17 years in the creative industry, 8 of these being self-employed. During this time, I was given the opportunity to employ and grow a team of people from a wide range of backgrounds. I developed and ran weekly sessions called ‘Value Added Human’ to support employees in their personal development and wellbeing. I worked with people who were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Autism, anxiety and depression. The sessions I ran had a huge impact on the team members’ individual self-esteem and aided an improved drive in their work.” 



A ceramic vessel – the process of a metaphor.

Here is an example of ceramic work made by a client going through therapy with Anya. This touching story shows the process of making a metaphor. This bowl represents the relationship between the client and her daughter. As she was making the bowl, cracks kept appearing and she tried to repair them. She placed a daisy inside the bowl to represent her daughter. She realised that although the bowl was broken, the bowl supported the flower, just as she was a supportive parent to her daughter. Also her daughter would love her no matter what her flaws may be.

A quote from one of the clients:
“This quote sums it up:” ‘Art speaks where words are unable to explain’ - artist Mathiole
“As for the Art materials I think the paint and clay have probably been the best for me (to express myself) as I feel a little less self conscious than using the characters or puppets.
I am truly grateful that my sessions have been extended as Anya is my only support, and without our sessions I am not sure how I would cope.”
 

These sessions can help people with a variety of life challenges:
People suffering with Stress, Anxiety, Depression, There’s something stopping them from living at the moment (e.g. fear of going outside), People on the autistic scale, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Struggling with OCD or compulsive tendencies, Family struggles, Struggling with something from their past (having nightmares, fear, etc.), Relationship issues, Medical trauma (for example they’ve been in the hospital, had a health issue and it’s really impacted them), People who have been sexually abused as children, Bereavement, Eating disorders, People who have come from domestic abuse/violence, People who are suffering with addiction and people feeling stuck, lost, unsure or trapped in their lives.

Where did the clients come from?
Our referral partners consist of health professionals working within GP practices, primary care trusts and mental health charities. Our referral partners responded to our Call Out for participants. We are looking to have another placement student next year. Should you have a client who is interested in taking part, please send their details to us by emailing referrrals@artsforhealthmk.org.uk, clearly stating that they are interested in Art Therapy sessions.
Should you be interested in taking part in Art Therapy yourself next year, please register your interest by emailing info@artsforhealthmk.org.uk.

What’s Next for Anya?

From October Anya will be doing a placement at the Campbell Centre in Milton Keynes Hospital, which she is very excited about. She’ll be working alongside an Art Psychotherapist and a Psychologist. She will be co-running groups and working 1-to-1 with inpatients.

On 2nd July Anya will be exhibiting her artwork at the London Art House in Islington. It will be a display of all artwork created by Integrated Art Psychotherapist students who are embarking on their MA journey. It's work that she creates throughout the year, as she practices and learns.


Our other projects
Other projects that we are currently running in the community includes a 12 week Headstart Art course at The Bridge Primary Care Network in Newport Pagnell. We have 10 participants aged between 13 and 17 who are taking part. So far we have made creative collages and puppets!

We are also running a series of 4 week creative art courses in Wolverton called ‘Art Bubble’ to explore the themes surrounding the pandemic and the vaccine. Should you wish to take part, or know someone who would benefit, please email their details through to referrals@artsforhealthmk.org.uk.




Office
Arts for Health Milton Keynes
Facilities Directorate
Milton Keynes Hospital
Standing Way
Eaglestone
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD


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Arts for Health Milton Keynes is the working name of MK Arts for Health charity number 1107625  company number 05137693