Membership
Arts Network provides a supportive and welcoming space for our members to explore their creativity, socialise and feel part of the community. Our free services are primarily aimed at people who have a severe mental illness SMI, with a focus on those who are isolated and find it difficult to access mainstream activities and education services, or find these activities do not cater to their needs.
As our members’ health improves, we also provide opportunities and training for them to grow within the organisation in the following ways depending on their interests and experience:
- Becoming Co-members who help members to set up their activities and let them know about upcoming trips and other social events.
- Volunteering at Arts Network and at our partner organisations for e.g. South London and Maudsley (SLaM) services.
- Assisting staff to run workshops.
- Training as Co-facilitators and Facilitators
- Remaining as Associate members when they have stopped engaging regularly with our programmes.
Our staff and practitioners are uniquely placed to understand the challenges faced by our members. We feel it’s essential for members to have a sense of ownership over the creative programme, how the organisation is run and what services we can offer. We have member Trustees on our Board and hold regular meetings for members to socialise and offer feedback in a friendly and informal setting.
Referral
If you are interested in becoming a member, please ask your care coordinator to fill out our referral online form. Professionals who can complete our referral forms include:
- Care-coordinators
- Psychiatrists
- Any mental health professional who is part of the applicant’s clinical support team and can provide ongoing support
In our experience, the people who benefit the most from our membership programme have a mental health professional or care team supporting them back into the community. Individuals who can be referred to one of our services include those who:
- are in secondary or tertiary care or awaiting assessment by a mental health team.
- have been assigned or are in contact with a Mental Health Care-coordinator / Social Worker / Community Psychiatric Nurse / Psychiatrist.
- have a care plan or clinical provisions for your mental health support needs.
- are open to mental health services.
- identify as having a disability due to your mental health. A mental health condition is considered a disability if it has a long-term effect on your normal day-to-day activity (Equality Act 2010).
- are expected to have a period of mental illness that lasts for longer than 12 months.
- live with mental ill-health that makes it difficult for you to engage in mainstream activities and education services.
Lewisham Service
Our Lewisham service is run from our studio on Eltham Road, when covid restrictions allow. We offer one workshop a week to new members, a communal studio session where they can take part in creative activities, guided by our facilitators, or they can explore their creativity by using a variety of materials we have on offer.
No art experience is required and beginners are welcome. Sessions will be delivered online until it is safe to bring groups together in person. When Covid-19 restrictions are eased we will still offer some online sessions to make it easier to participate.
To sign up to the programme complete this application form with a mental health professional who supports you. When we receive your application will contact you to discuss the membership programme and find out more about your interests.
A quick glance at this service:
- At least one creative workshop a week (online, until covid restrictions are lifted)
- Receive our Stay Connected Zine and materials, delivered to you monthly
- Monthly visits to museums and galleries (once covid restrictions are lifted)
- An ongoing subscription to our eNewsletter
- At least one group exhibition a year, and the opportunity to apply for a solo exhibition
- Pathways to volunteer with us
Lambeth & Southwark Workshops
From May 20th, 2021, we are launching a programme for people engaged in South London and Maudsley (SLaM) Services. The series of six, 2-hour workshops will explore fun ways of creating textures and using your imagination to tell stories. All the activities are designed for you to let go and create art in a relaxed and communal space.
No art experience is required and beginners are welcome. Sessions will be delivered online until it is safe to bring groups together in person. When Covid-19 restrictions are eased we will still offer some online sessions to make it easier to participate.
To sign up to the programme complete this application form with a mental health professional who supports you. When we receive your application will contact you to discuss the membership programme and find out more about your interests.
A quick glance at this service:
- Six creative workshops (online, until covid restrictions are lifted)
- Receive our Stay Connected Zine and materials, delivered to you monthly (for 3 months)
- An ongoing subscription to our eNewsletter
- At least one group exhibition a year
- Pathways to volunteer with us
If you are not eligible for any of our services, there are other ways to get involved. Follow the links below to find out about our volunteering opportunities and public workshops.
Referral Criteria
All clients referred to Arts Network must:
• have a clinical diagnosis of severe mental illness (SMI) from a mental health professional
• have ongoing contact with a mental health professional
• have provisions in place for their mental health support needs
We accept referrals from clients residing anywhere in the U.K, not just Lewisham. If you are able to reach Arts Network, you are eligible to become a member here.
If you have any questions about the referral process, please feel free to contact us at info@artsnetwork.org.uk
If this does not apply to you, there are other ways to get involved. Follow the links below to find out about our volunteering opportunities and public workshops.
