This year we celebrate 30 years of supporting adults with severe mental illness. Help us to build upon this legacy, and continue to provide creative workshops, studio space, volunteering and exhibition opportunities, and visits to cultural venues for our members - connecting through creativity.
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39% of people in Lewisham North reported loneliness compared to a UK average of 28% in a study conducted by the Belonging Forum (2024). Severe mental illness is estimated to affect 1.12% of Lewisham’s population, which is much higher than the national average of 0.95% (figures from the Office of Health Improvement & Disparities, 2021-22). With the recent NHS 10 Year Plan (2025) calling for an emphasis on community services, it is more important than ever to sustain and strengthen Arts Network.
Through our free long-term membership, we provide a welcoming and safe space for people with severe mental illness to participate in creative activities from sculpture to sewing, in a supportive non-clinical setting. Everyone is given the time and structure they need. Through this, our members feel empowered in their recovery as they connect to the power of artistic practice and participate in creative activities and public events that reframe mental health and tackle stigma.
