We’re supporting Mindful Art Club to run more groups with the Innovation Fund
The Devon Mental Health Alliance Innovation Fund has been awarded to Mindful Art Club by our Community Mental Health Development Leads in Plymouth & West Devon.
As outlined in a previous feature on our website, Mindful Art Club is a fantastic Plymouth-based CIC which runs regular groups promoting art and creativity as a form of mindfulness. Peggy Melmoth and Emma Sprawson, who founded the group in 2019, have partnered with the likes of the Sunflower Women’s Centre, Harbour Centre, Devon Recovery Learning Community, Devon Mind, and loads more, sharing their relaxed and inclusive approach to promoting mental wellbeing.
We’re pleased to share that we’re supporting Mindful Art Club with a grant from our Innovation Fund for grassroots organisations supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing in Devon. The funding will support Peggy and Emma to continue delivering a popular weekly Mindful Art Club group at the Moments Café in Plymouth, every friday from 1pm to 3pm, for the next 6 months. This group is open to anyone who is looking for support for their mental health and/or suffering from social isolation.
Speaking to the Alliance after receiving the funding, the pair commented:
“This funding will allow us to carry on with the group we have been running on a Friday, which is having a big impact on the people who come. This is our most successful group and has been well attended every week. This money will allow us to continue changing people’s lives and we are very grateful for the support from Devon Mental Health Alliance!”
Peggy and Emma also shared this quote from Chris, one of their group attendees:
“I was depressed and generally unwell since the pandemic. I first attended Mindful Art Club after the world started opening up, because I wanted to connect with other people. Having somewhere to go and chat with these lovely people whilst doing mindful, creative activities has made such a difference to me. I feel that the art club allows me to take away some of the negativity and toxicity that builds up after a stressful week. Now I’m moving house, I have a new job, and new energy. I’m not cured, but I’m progressing, consistently making healthy choices and activity developing resilience. This group has helped me to accomplish and maintain these positive aspects of my life.”
If you work for a VCSE organisation in any area of Devon that is working towards delivering innovative support to people experiencing severe mental illness, why not apply for an award from our Innovation Fund? Grants of up to £800 are available.