Creative minds: developing supportive creative opportunities in our communities
| Published date | 09 March 2015 |
| Pages | 30-37 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-12-2014-0041 |
| Date | 09 March 2015 |
| Author | Philip Walters |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
Creative minds: developing supportive
creative opportunities in our communities
Philip Walters
Philip Walters is the Creative
Minds Strategic Lead, Creative
Minds Office, South West
Yorkshire Partnerships NHS
Foundation Trust, Mirfield, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe South West Yorkshire Partnerships Foundation Trust’s
Creative Minds Strategy designed to build a strong infrastructure of community and voluntary organisations
able to work with the Trust providing creative opportunities for all who access services.
Design/methodology/approach – A descriptive account of the background, philosophy, benefits,
operation and role of Creative Minds in developing more recovery-focused services. Case studies by people
who have been involved in Creative Minds are included.
Findings – Creative Minds has been successful in forming partnerships between the Trustand community/
voluntary organisations that afford opportunities to explore different activities and discover their passions
and talents. It provides an opportunity for service users and practitioners to engage as equals for mutual
benefit.
Originality/value – This original, award winning initiative enables the Trust to work closely with a range of
community organisations thus enhancing and extending the service offered and enabling people to gage in
meaningful activities and become a part of their local community.
Keywords Social inclusion, Community partnerships, Coproduction, Creative activities, Case studies,
Voluntary organizations
Paper type Case study
Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for life (Chinese
Proverb).
If you help a person to find their passion it can help them maintain their mental health and wellbeing
for life (Creative Minds).
About the Trust and Creative Minds
South West Yorkshire partnerships NHS Foundation Trust (SWYPFT) provides community,
mental health and learning disability services to the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees,
Wakefield and forensic services to Yorkshire and Humber. Our mission, which was developed
following widespread canvassing of ideas and opinions from all of our stakeholders is “Enabling
people to reach their potential and live well in their community”.
Creative Minds is a Truststrategy that develops community partnerships and co-funds creative
projects across our localities and in the Trust’s forensic services. It utilises creative activities
delivered in partnership with Trust staff and local community organisations to increase
confidence, develop social skills and encourage new experience to improve the lives of local
people. Many participants find that they discover a passion for a particular activity or talent they
never knew they had and in many cases, this gives individuals the means to maintain their health
and wellbeing through finding a hobby they can continue to enjoy for the rest of their lives.
Creative Minds encourages service users and practitioners to engage for mutual benefit,
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MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
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VOL. 19 NO. 1 2015, pp. 30-37, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/MHSI-12-2014-0041
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