From singing to soap making: North Devon's Adult Learning Forum Pilot Project
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5042/mhsi.2010.0619 |
| Date | 09 November 2010 |
| Pages | 22-29 |
| Published date | 09 November 2010 |
| Author | Ann Ley,Jane Coleman,Julian Vayne |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Mental Health and Social Inclusion • Volume 14 Issue 4 • November 2010 © Pier Professional Ltd22
Activities offered
Singing
One of the first events to g et off the ground
was a new community choi r, La La Voices, that
met tw ice w eekly at th e Land mark Theatre.
La La Voices was open t o all and the l eaders
underto ok muc h of their own marketing by
produci ng pos ters, distrib uting leafle ts on
the st reets of Il fracomb e in North Devon and
invitin g loca l sin gers w ho the y kne w woul d
be hos pitable to people who might b e less
confide nt. Th e cho ir was enthu siastic ally
support ed by a sen ior me ntal h ealth occupat ional
therapi st who trav elled great distanc es in order
to bri ng an d supp ort p eople she t hought would
benefit from it.
Introduction
North Devon’s Adult Learning Forum (ALF) Pilot
Project was carried out between 1 January 2010 to 31
March 2010. It offered a range of cultural activities to
people recovering from mental distress. Activities were
free and open to all, but recruitment was particularly
targeted at people with mental health problems who
were at various stages of recovery (Devon Partnership
NHS Trust, 2010). All activities were advertised
through a newly created website and through the
North Devon Link Service, which provides day
opportunities for people with mental health problems.
Where appropriate, practical and emotional support to
participants was given by mentors from various mental
health services eg. mentors often provided transport
and participated in the sessions themselves.
From singing to soap
making: North Devon’s
Adult Learning Forum
Pilot Project
LEISURE
Ann Ley
Research Psychologist, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, UK
Jane Coleman
Service user, UK
Julian Vayne
Learning and Outreach Officer, Northern Devon Museum and Gallery Service, UK
Abstract
This article is about North Devon’s Adult Learning Forum Pilot Project, which offered a range of interesting
and unusual cultural activities to people recovering from mental distress. The Project arose from an innovative
partnership between local cultural and leisure agencies and the mental health trust.
Key words
Learning Forum Pilot Project; Cultural activities; Mental health; Recovery; Leisure
10.5042/mhsi.2010.0619
To continue reading
Request your trial