Open Arts is a community arts and health programme which helps to manage and improve mental health and wellbeing through creativity.

Open Arts is managed within the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Charity, but is not covered by core NHS funding instead Open Arts relies on external grants, fundraising and donations.

Your kind donation will go towards artists fees and studio session leader fees, Volunteer travel expenses, art materials and refreshments for workshops and art courses, venue hire and allow us to offer free placements if needed.

The key outcomes achieved by Open Arts are improved mental wellbeing, including positive thinking, increased confidence and improved self-esteem, and increased social inclusion, in terms of more positive social relationships and decreased isolation and feelings of loneliness.

We focus on the processes/experiences that surround artistic expression, as opposed to issues relating to mental ill health and disability. We have an open referral route to anyone aged 16+. No experience in art is necessary.

Our groups are fully accessible and the arts activities suited to a wide range of ability.

Most mental health services begin at, and concentrate on, illness and disability, working to suppress and reduce symptoms, working backwards towards recovery and wellbeing.

Open Arts begins at, and concentrates on, ability and wellbeing, working forwards to reduce and prevent symptomatic episodes without clinical input, thereby saving statutory resources and improving participants journey. And what’s more it’s fun!

Please visit our website www.openartsessex.org and support us by following/liking @OpenArtsEssex on Facebook and X and https://www.instagram.com/openartsessex/

Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.