Exhibition enables mental health experiences to be expressed through art

An exhibition of innovative artwork will be presented at a local Rochdale gallery created by mental health service users resident on a new low secure unit at Birch Hill Hospital.

The thought-provoking artwork, which explores the service users’ experiences of mental illness and the care system, whilst challenging some of the misconceptions around mental illness, has been produced in collaboration with art therapists, artists, designers, photographers and ceramicists.

The works will be on display between Saturday 15 June and Saturday 24 August at Gallery One situated in Touchstones.

A variety of projects encouraged the service users to determine their own themes and issues on which to base their art work. And after the exhibition, their work will be displayed permanently on the hospital’s wards.

Led by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Art Therapist, John Crossfield, the art projects were carefully designed to ensure confidentiality and the service users’ wellbeing, as well as enable freedom of expression, creative thinking and support skills development.

Commenting on the forthcoming exhibition, John said: “The art projects and artwork produced have not only allowed our service users to share their experiences and find common ground but also to put themselves and their thoughts and feelings out there and to genuinely have a voice.”