Creative Alternatives is an award-winning arts on prescription service that offers residents of St Helens the opportunity to access to a FREE programme that is centred around creative activities, wellbeing and self-care. We have been delivering our service in St Helens for the past 7 years and during the COVID-19 pandemic we created an online version of our local programme so we could continue to support and help people who are experiencing poor mental health during a very difficult time. During 2021/22 we were offering clients the choice of face-to-face OR online groups, meaning they can choose depending on preference, availability &/or personal circumstances.
During 2022-23 we will be offering mainly face-to-face sessions again but we will also have one online group available too. Our service combines a mix of weekly art-activity videos, live expressive writing group sessions, mindfulness podcasts, interactive forums along with self-care information and sign-posting relating to both the Covid-19 crisis and general mental wellbeing & resilience. All our art activities have been designed so they can be done in the safety of the home environment using innovative art materials that can also be found in the home! Our weekly live video sessions then provide an opportunity for clients to still connect and interact with other people on the programme as well as our Artists who lead the sessions. We will have new intakes every 7 weeks and we still have places available!
To find out more about Creative Alternatives online, referral information and criteria click here
Creative Alternatives is winner of the 2011 North West Public Health Award and the 2016 YOUR HEROES – Team of the Year award.
