CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
ART TRANSFORMS MENTAL HEALTH
Hospital Rooms is a charity founded by artists Tim A Shaw and Niamh White, which“ believes in the enduring power of art to instil value, dignity and wellbeing in people.” They commission museum quality artists to create inventive and compliant atmospheres for mental health units, as well as programming workshops for service users that encourage meaningful participation in artistic activities. These first two projects saw them work with consultants, clinicians, therapists and the South West London Mental Health NHS Trust to ensure that all the work created was suitable for the environment, taking into account physical, logistical and hygiene concerns. Up to 18 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia can reside in the Phoenix Ward at a time for up to three years, until they are ready to be independent again. Artists such as Joh Bates, Sophie Clements, Nick Knight and Turner prize-winning Assemble were commissioned for the project, with a lot of the artwork already created by the residents also on show.
Springfield University Hospital in Tooting, London, has seen an artistic transformation of its Phoenix Ward, which is now home to pieces from award-winning artists as well as the residents themselves.
BY SIAN KISSOCK
INTRODUCING... STANDTALL
Domestic abuse stories crop up constantly within the media, but unless experienced or seen first-hand, the issue often gets swept under the carpet. The harsh reality is that at least 2 women in the UK will be killed each week by their significant other or an ex-partner.
One young lady who knows first-hand the devastating effects of an abusive relationship is 27-year-old, Esther Marshall, from London. About 10 years ago, Esther found herself in an abusive relationship with a man that would hurt her, would leave her crying in pain, and ultimately destroyed her selfconfidence. After attending a One Young World Conference in 2014, Esther was inspired to use the pain of her past in a positive way, to help other women who are suffering through abusive relationships. And so began the creation of‘ sTandTall’!
‘ sTandTall’ hopes to tackle issues of abuse in two different ways. Firstly, the online platform will allow women who have endured any form of abuse,( be it domestic, sexual, financial etc.), to go to the website and find various charities, NGO’ s, clubs and activities that will work to help them overcome their situation. The second way, is the creation of a curriculum that will be presented in schools through a series of sessions. One session acts as an overview of abuse and bullying, presented to both boys and girls. And another is a proactive and reactive session just for girls that teaches them to spot the signs of unhealthy relationships. When the platform receives enough funding Esther aims to set up‘ sTandTall Homes’- a holistic centre that provides women from abusive relationships all of the help they need in one place. To find out more you can visit the website www. standtall. org.
What do you do if you find yourself in an abusive relationship? Esther says: Take the time that you need in order to feel comfortable in getting the help you want, and do not be swayed by other people about who you have to be.
BY JULIET VANDENSTEEN
6 | Actus | June 2017