Alternative Futures Group is a Northwest based Charity, nationally recognized as a provider of creative, practical solutions in mental healthcare. They firmly believe in the value of relationships and developing new ways of working collaboratively and are keen to share their expertise. This project is a working example of the charities ethos, with service users taking an active lead in the project.
The project was developed in partnership with Alternative Futures Group staff, its service users and the SAFE team – the aim was to deliver a lasting and meaningful art work sited at the new head offices in the Puma Court development, Huyton, Merseryside.
The programme of engagement began with artists working alongside people supported in mental health and/or learning disability services, plus staff and members of the senior management team/s.
The approach was to celebrate the work of Alternative Futures Group through a public Arts & Health initiative, asking the question: what does AFG mean to you?
In these engagement sessions a range of creative skills/tools were used to remove barriers, giving everyone the opportunity to share their ideas relating to the theme of the work. The group took part in a series of visual art workshops including video, clay, paint, collage making and mosaic.
A number of illustrations were created based upon the ideas generated during these workshops, these designs were then presented to the service users and senior management team for comment and discussion. And from this group of six designs, the sculpture you see was selected – the hand signifies the support provided to the service users. With the overarching ideology that people felt safe and cared for by the people who support them in their daily lives.
On approval of the design – the SAFE Technical team got to work fabricating the hand structure with Tony Evans taking the lead on creating the butterfly that would sit in the palm of the hand.
Outcomes:
- A high quality and publicly valued piece of art work
- A fully inclusive design, development and manufacturing process, based upon engaging with all stakeholders
- Promoting and jointly celebrating the work of the organization, captured in a creative art work, through a public and press opening
- Publicly promoting the values of community partnerships and corporate social responsibility inherent to Alternative Futures Group’s vision, mission and values
- Providing a lasting and robust learning and development opportunity for all stakeholders, especially the people supported who were fully involved in the whole process
