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Read all about our current work - do get in touch for more info or help us spread the word.
Click on the links below to read more:
- Chair of the board of Tustees
- Call out for Volunteers
- Writing Space Volunteer
- Graphic Design/Illustrator Volunteer
- Creative Landscapes
- Snap & Stroll - Keynsham
- Kitchen Creations
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Director's Blog
October to January will be a significant, if not make or break, period in the development of our organisation. Firstly, we have the new round of Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding open. Having been a recipient of NPO funding for the last 2 rounds and currently the only NPO in B&NES, we are both proud of, and grateful for, our support from ACE.
We are certainly not resting on our laurels however, and will continue to be ambitious and to develop as an organisation for the benefit of the sector and the benefit of our participants and audience, not to mention our staff and volunteers.
We are also working very hard on our offer for the new Community Services commission, recently awarded to Virgin Care, and the possible opportunities that may arise from this. As with most organisations, I am sure, articulating a concise and powerful story of the work we do is demanding but vital. As part of this process, we will be creating some more artists commissions to help us in expressing our impact, value and methodology. We will announce these in due course.
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We are also just starting the final phase of our Home Service project that has recently had a hiatus due to a change in project management from the consortium that we are a part of. We will again be working with Elders and care home staff in Bristol, Radstock and Bath, creating kits and resources that can be used in care home settings in the future. We are also collaborating with Bath College on the possibility of a very exciting training course for their students and professional care staff as part of their new Care College. Additionally, we will be delivering a couple of co|Create sessions for artists, focused on the learning and practice we have evolved from the overall delivery of the Home Service project.
Last month we facilitated, in partnership with 5x5x5 Creativity, a new What Next? Chapter for the West of England. The theme for this inaugural meet was 'Engagement' and there were fascinating and insightful presentations, discussions and statements from a wide-variety of participants including organisations and individuals alike. We were joined by Clare Thurman from the national What Next? movement to kick us off and to put the national picture into context for us. We ended up discussing three main questions that had been created by the group through an open space session, firstly, "How do we reach different communities and why?" Secondly, "How do we ensure real & actual inclusion?" and lastly "How is participation measured? And what is 'meaningful participation'? As you can imagine, we had nowhere nearly enough time to do these topics justice but they served as valuable and stimulating areas for discussion and networking. The chapter is aiming to meet once every two months and the themes will evolve as we grow as a network. We will also be inviting inspiring and provocative speakers to join us to spark our debates.
If you would like to be part of the West of England What Next? Chapter, or have any questions regarding it, do not hesitate to contact me.
Olly
Director, Creativity Works
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Silver Award for Creativity Works
We are delighted to have received Investors in People Silver accreditation as it is an extremely rare award to have obtained for an organisation of our size. It is a testament to the hard work of our staff, volunteers and trustees and the impact that we make on the communities that we work with.
The accreditation sets out some recommendations for us to continuously improve our business model, practices and procedures, and we understand how vital it is for the continued success of our organisation and the services we deliver to vulnerable people, that we maintain our hard work and vision.
We are a small, agile and ambitious organisation with solid values, a durable and resilient nature and, above all, a passionate belief in the work that we do and the power of creativity. This accreditation is a tangible reward for our efforts and an acknowledgment of our accomplishments. We will endeavour to get even better!
"The results of this assessment demonstrate that Creativity Works has successfully achieved Silver level against the Investors in People Sixth Generation Framework. This is a great performance considering this a first time assessment for the organisation. Silver level is expected to be awarded to the top 5% of organisations. This is a real achievement and one that should be celebrated." Jeff Pullen, IIP Practitioner
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And the Award goes to....
Nat Burgess, Creativity Works Fresh Art@ & AWP Key Worker wins prestigious award
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L-R Philippa Forsey, Creativity Works, Nat Burgess & Sarah Parkinson, AWP at the Awards Ceremony
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Nat Burgess
- Creativity Works' Fresh Art@ & AWP Key Worker
has won the Recovery and Hope AWP staff award hosted in Bath last week.
The Recovery & Hope Award is for an individual or a team of volunteers who make a real difference to the lives of service users or carers. The winner will have show how they improved the wellbeing of service users or carers on the wards or in the community, complementing the work of staff
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AWP said about Nat:
Nathaniel co-ordinates the Fresh Art@ initiative using artistic expression to facilitate
recovery. He is always smiling and happy to get involved with anyone and everyone and the
people he works with are excited to spend time with him. Nat is passionate about supporting
people to get involved in creative activity's. He is an amazing positive influence to service
users and being able to support people both on the ward and in the community has allowed
him to have a real influence in their recovery.
Nat said: "
Over the past year and a half I have been working really hard within the Fresh Art@ team supported by my two managers Philippa Forsey, Creativity Works Creative Wellbeing Manager and Sarah Parkinson, AWP Art Psychotherapist to get the Fresh Art@ project imbedded in AWP and I was oblivious to how much of a positive affect I have on peoples recovery. I feel proud of what I have achieved over the last five years going through my own mental health issues and being supported by the AWP to now feeling myself and rediscovering who I am as a partner a father and Creative mental health worker.
None of this would have been achievable without all the Hope given to me by the Amazing staff on Sycamore Ward Acute inpatient unit at Hillview Lodge and the support that B&ANEs Early intervention Team gave me.
A special thank you to four amazing people who helped me within my recovery Elena Ely, Bernie Crowley, Dr Richard Stanton & Sophie Piddock without you I would not be here today. There is not only Me in recovery!"
The two other candidates for this award were:
Cheri Reeves - Recovery Coordinator, Swindon and Luisa Suarez - Involvement Coordinator, Secure .
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World Mental Health Day
On Saturday 08th October Creativity Works along with partners Bath Mind, AWP & St. Mungo's held a day of events for World Mental Health Day in Milsom Street, Bath.
"It was an extremely buzzy day and very successful." said Philippa Forsey, Creativity Works Creative Wellbeing Manager.
There were large numbers of people who engaged with the activities on the day which included:
Fiona Winnings Glass Half full, Glass half Empty Installation, AWP's Wellbeing Cakes (huge numbers of these given out for free!); Steve Hedleys Graffiti wall completely covered with comments and thoughtful feedback and last but not least two performances of the the Flash Mob which brought the high street to a standstill with great interest and applause (A film of this is below).
I sense a dance project coming on....!
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| Photos: Fiona Winnings Glass Half full, Glass half Empty Installation |
Artist Steve Hedley with his Graffiti Wall
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The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day (WMHD) on 10 October every year as an opportunity to raise "awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health."
There are still events happening this week so please do take a look at the programme below and join in.
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co|Create News
A programme of socially engaged artists' CPD and training
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"Inspirational", "dynamic", "action packed" and "thorough"
Feedback from participants of Creativity Work's one day training on Creative Facilitation skills.
This course takes participants through a series of practical, creative exercises with discussion and reflection looking at: the role of a facilitator in a Socially Engaged context, icebreakers, introductory activities, energising activities, boundaries and sensitivities, group behaviour and journaling as a reflection tool. Activities include: movement, using natural objects, low tech animation, sound, craft activities and writing.
The workshop is a sound introduction or refresher on the skills needed to become a creative facilitator. It is suitable for creatives and artists who are interested in running workshops or creative groups. It is part of the co|Create series of socially engaged artists' continued professional development.
When
: Friday 11th November 9.30am to 4.30pm
How much:
£50 for the day, includes handouts
Where:
The Natural Theatre Company, Widcombe Hill, Bath, BA2 6AA
How to get there:
5 mins walk from Bath Spa station, parking at
Southgate St, Bath BA1 1TP or free parking further up Widcombe Hill (10-15 walk).
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Thursday 13th October 2016 10:30 - 13:30
Midsomer Norton Town Hall, The Island, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2HQ
Saturday 3rd December 2016 10:30 - 13:30
Percy Community Centre, New King Street, Bath, BA1 2BN
Cost: Free
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When: Tuesday 31st January 2017 10am - 12pm
Where: Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath BA2 6AA
For artists who have completed the Wellbeing College Five Ways to Wellbeing Course (listed above) to extend their knowledge and embed thinking.
Cost: £10
For further information email sarah@creativityworks.org.uk and for more information on 5 ways to wellbeing see www.fivewaystowellbeing.org
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We really want to know what you want, and with limited resources to ensure time and money is invested in the right places for you to develop and grow as artists. We have lots of new ideas including Minnets - mini networks of artists providing peer to peer support and the potential to collaborate on new projects, action Learning sets, assistant artist roles across our programmes, mentoring and creative conversations as well as training courses to help you to keep up with the latest developments and thinking across SEA and health.
Please see below a link to a very short 10 question survey, we would really appreciate your input as we move forward to designing and fundraising for a new CoCreate programme.
Link to Co|Create Artists Survey
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HUG
Hug, 12th September 2016, Theatre Royal Bath
On Monday 12th September Co|Create hosted Hug at The Theatre Royal Bath. The performance offered us the opportunity to invite our artists, participants and volunteers to meet the Creativity Works team, experience
Verity Standen's phenomenal immersive choral experience 'Hug' and the opportunity to discuss our unique individual experiences of this immediate, visceral and physical performance afterwards.
In the performance each audience member is blindfolded and hugged by a singer. Unable to gauge their surroundings visually, participants experience the performance through sound, breath and vibrations of the body as the choir of voices deliver the song.
Sarah Gilmartin, Artists Training & Development Manager said: "For me it was a wonderful opportunity to meet the people who make Creativity Works, as well as to be part of Hug, which I loved and even better to share and hear other people's thoughts and reactions afterwards."
"Described as a Choral sound bath, we believed Hug would be an interesting starting point for thought and discussion around sensory deprivation and the implications to our work and practice. Conversation focused around the heightened senses, particularly around touch, how we were hugged and who by, the masks gave us anonymity but it seemed the size and shape of the person you were hugged by really affected your emotional response and recalled different past experiences.
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n addition was the way the music felt, physically through the singer's body, the floor as well as our ears, it was loud, vibrating and powerful. We also discussed our anxiety around the idea of Hug and being hugged by a stranger and the smell of the masks and the singers."
Overall those who attended seemed to have found it "an amazing experience" with some finding it moving, melancholy and others joyful "Like being visited by your guardian angel."
With thanks to Theatre Royal Bath and all the Hug performers and producers.
We are now looking for the next thought provoking piece we could visit or experience and discuss as a group. If you have any ideas please let me know;
Sarah Gilmartin, Artists Training and Development Manager
Sarah@creativityworks.org.uk
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Opportunity:
Chair of the Board of Trustees, Creativity Works
We are looking to recruit a Chair of Trustees who will demonstrate the passion and commitment to progress the high quality work that Creativity Works is renowned for. You will have the strategic leadership skills and authority that is required for this small but dynamic, and high-achieving, organisation to flourish.
Creativity Works is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, supporting and developing artists who work in the field of socially engaged arts. We also deliver creative projects within Health and Wellbeing, including a highly successful commission from B&NES, the Mental Health Creative Support Service.
We are currently in a period of transition, building on our success as we look to secure a sustainable and expansive future. This entails the re-imagining of co|Create, our artists support programme, scoping the opportunities that the new Your Care Your Way commission may bring, expanding the delivery of our services to include young people and families and planning the redevelopment of a high-profile building. We will also be looking to maintain our NPO status beyond 2018 and to secure the funding and profile necessary to achieve our ambitious plans.
For the full Job Description please Click
HERE (this will download a PDF document)
If you are interested in this role, please send a CV and cover letter illustrating your suitability to our Director, Oliver Jones
oliver@creativityworks.org.uk
If you require more details or would like to chat about the role, please do email Oliver to arrange a convenient time to talk with him or one of our current trustees.
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Volunteers Wanted
Call-out for Writing Space & Creative Volunteers
Creativity Works is looking for volunteers to support upcoming Creative Courses and Writing Space, a peer-led writing group for those with lived experience of mental health challenges, that meets every Tuesday afternoon in Bath Central Library.
We are looking for someone with an enthusiasm for writing, coupled with an ability to work alongside a group to help them communicate compassionately with each other and to develop their writing skills in a mutually supportive environment. Also to help them organise and attend events and submit work for publication.
The ideal volunteer should have some experience of working with vulnerable adults in a professional capacity or through supporting friends/family or of being supported themselves. The time commitment is 4-5 hours a week and would involve emailing the group once a week and supporting them in person every Tuesday afternoon during their creative session in Bath Central Library.
Continuity is an important aspect of this role so ideally the volunteer would be able to commit to three months working with the group with the option to continue for longer. Interested individuals are invited to attend a Writing Space session with Camilla to see if it would be a good fit.
We are also looking for 2-3 creative volunteers to support our new season of courses starting at the end of September.
Illustration & Graphic Design opportunity
We are looking for an illustrator and a Graphic Designer, someone with a flare for design or someone who would like to develop their illustration skills and layout skills for a new Toolkit.
Creativity Works in partnership with St. Mungo's and community groups in Bath are creating a Toolkit for 'Creating a successful peer group'. We would like to include 8 - 10 simple images which will cover themes around people meeting together, welcoming others, making decisions.
If you are interested in this new commission please contact Philippa for more information philippa@creativityworks.org.uk 01761 438852
Volunteering on creative projects
We would like to hear from you if you enjoy working with people, would like to share your creative skills and help people develop their own ideas. We currently have opportunities with the following groups: Kitchen Creations, textiles, photography and visual arts. The creative programme is always developing new projects across a wide range of art forms . Do get in touch if you have time to commit to volunteering and would like to become part of the Creativity Works volunteering team.
If you are interested in either volunteer role, please contact Camilla via email: camilla@creativityworks.org.uk or ring the office on 01761 438 852 and ask to speak with Camilla or Philippa for an informal chat.
Creativity Works is committed to supporting the professional development of our volunteers offering an array of free training in safeguarding & boundaries, creative facilitation, mental health support and an up-to-date DBS. Our goal is to support volunteers to follow a self-defined pathway of creative, personal and professional progression.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Profile: An Insight into Working with Creativity Works
A Focus on: Morwhenna Woolcock: Communications & Administration Coordinator
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What is your connection with Creativity Works?
Hi, I'm the Communications & Administration Coordinator. I'm covering for Rosie Dedman who is on maternity leave.
How did you first come across Creativity Works?
A few years ago when I was looking for creative companies that reflected my own desire to use creativity as a tool for wellbeing. I initially signed up as an Artist.
What made you want to work with this organisation?
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The ethos and values of Creativity Works (CW) mirrors my own and I have had personal experiance of the powerful effect creativity can have when going through mental health challenges. I wanted to be a part of something that was creating such valuable work and reaching and helping vulnerable people.
Which projects have you been involved with / how have you helped support Creativity Works?
I joined in May this year and as well as creating the monthly newsletter, I developed and ran the first Summer Wellbeing Challenge for CW. This was an online challenge based on the 5 ways to wellbeing which ran throughout August. We had some great feedback and engagement from this so will be running it again next year.
What have you enjoyed the most about working with Creativity Works?
Being part of a friendly, passionate and creative team having been self-employed for the past three years is tremendous. Sharing ideas and being part of the core that helps keep Creativity Works going.
I was very excited when I got the job!
What have you found surprising about Creativity Works?
The vast body of work that has been created by such a small organisation over the past 30 years since Creativity Works was first set up. Also the challenges faced when
obtaining
funding to be able to deliver what we know is vital work. Also how such a small team can actually have so much in common! Lots of serendipity. ;-)
In what way has Creativity Works been of value or support to you?
So far, enabling me to learn about what it means to work for a charity and all the different partnerships that are part of the treads that enable Creativity Works to deliver high quality courses and projects. I'm sure there will be lots of other areas I will feel the benefit of working with CW the longer I am here.
What has been your biggest professional, personal or creative achievement to date?
Hmm this is a tricky question as I have a few things that I'm proud of! They range from running my first Creative Adventure on Lundy Island last year, Completing a 197 mile modern pilgrimage from Brecon to Morwenstow following (roughly) in the footsteps of a 5th century saint called Morwenna, to creating and running my own courses. Also seeing how far I've come in the past four years since leaving my job at a large corporate firm. Sometimes I feel I'm not doing enough, then I stop and look back as see all the projects and people I've met so far and feel an immense sense of joy and satisfaction. Giving things a go rather than wondering 'What If'
Do you have any creative aspirations for the future (with or without Creativity Works)?
For Creativity Works, to continue to raise awareness of what we do and make the Summer Wellbeing Challenge even better next year. I hope that once my contract comes to an end, there will still be opportunities to be a part of this amazing team and creative charity. I see big things ahead for Creativity Works!
Personally, YES! Lots. I am currently planning my next Creative Adventure which will see me visiting over 60 islands around the UK, completing my 40/40 project which is an on going list of challenges I'm completing in my 40s. The BIG dream though is to combine my love of Creativity, Adventure & Nature (CAN) and set up a creative hub in a woodland setting, ideally near to the sea!
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Up Coming Workshops
Get involved in something Creative this Autumn
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News, Useful Websites, Articles & Events
Interesting links and opportunities from around the South West. Please do share with us any sites, articles and films you also find useful and inspiring.
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JOB OPPORTUNITY with Arts & Health South West
Arts & Health South West would like to appoint a free-lance fundraiser on an initial 1 year contract for £10,000 (including VAT).
The fundraiser will support AHSW in delivering their Arts Council England Catalyst Evolve fundraising programme to build organisational resilience and the development of the arts and health infrastructure in the South West region.
For further information download the Fundraiser brief here.
Prospective applicants can email Alex Coulter, Director of AHSW, for an informal discussion and request a copy of the AHSW fundraising strategy: alex@ahsw.org.uk
Deadline for applications 4th November
Interviews in Bristol 7th November
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Alternative Visions: Undiscovered Art in the South West.
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Artist: Stacy Fish - Elephant, Bird, Man
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Outside In are inviting artists across the South West who see themselves as facing barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance or isolation to submit work for this exhibition which will tour to venues across the region. Submissions are now open and the deadline to submit work is
Friday 4 November 2016.
The exhibition is produced by Outside In, Arts & Health South West (AHSW) and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
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Mammalian Diving Reflex Newsletter
Very much worth having a look at the recent newsletter from our brilliant friends at Mammalian Diving Reflex
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Join in with #LoveTo Draw month
October is #Loveto Draw month with Voluntary Arts. http://bit.ly/2dLi40O
November is Love To Sing Month and December Love to Make Christmas |
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Could You be a Trustee for Creativity Works?
Trustees Required
We are always looking to widen our Board of Trustees for Creativity Works and would welcome any expressions of interest. We are particularly looking for those with skills in the following areas:
- Human Resources;
- Legal Services;
- Fundraising;
- Accounting;
- or the Visual Arts. |
You will be helping to lead a hard working, creative and dedicated team of staff, steering the way in the effective growth and promotion of this expanding organisation.
Trustees meet at least 6 times a year and we encourage engagement in particular areas of work and ongoing projects.
Further detail about our work is available on our website www.creativityworks.org.uk.
For more information please contact our Director, Oliver Jones (oliver@creativityworks.org.uk). If you would like to apply for a position as a Trustee, please send Oliver your CV and written application. Consideration of applications will be ongoing.
Please feel free to spread the word - you can download the advert here.
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Thank you for reading our newsletter. If you would like to follow our updates in between newsletters remember that you can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest!
With Best Wishes,
The Creativity Works Team
For more information:
Tel: 01761 438852 Email: info@creativityworks.org.uk Supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Arts Council England Click here to return to the top of the email |
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| Simply click through Give as You Live every time you shop online to raise money for Creativity Works |
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Registered Charity No. 1075812 Company No. 3768255 Creativity Works for Everyone is a company limited by guarantee registered in England
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