Rotherham gallery supports mental health awareness

The ARTiculate exhibition is, running from October 15 until Nov 5, will be taking place in the Art Gallery space in Riverside House.

The exhibition, which was officially launched by Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Ken Wyatt, and Mental Health Champion, Councillor Lyndsay Pitchley, will be displaying work created by local Rotherham people, many of whom attend local support groups.

Those organisations submitting work to the exhibition include adult mental health inpatient unit Swallownest Court and older people's unit The Woodlands, which are both run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH).

Rotherham Community Arts Service (Arts in Health) have worked closely with a number of these groups on special projects in the past, which have included workshops in music, visual arts, drama and dance.

The Arts & Health Officer, Rhiannon Lister-Coburn, is currently running a two year Action Research Project in Swallownest Court.

Councillor Ken Wyatt said: "With so many people affected by mental health issues it's important to supports mental health awareness, and what better way than with an art exhibition."

"Studies have shown that producing art can have a significant beneficial effect on a person's mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and lowering blood pressure.

"The artists have really benefited from working on their projects and some great pieces have been produced which the local community will now get to enjoy too."

Councillor Lyndsay Pitchley added: "It's always a great pleasure to represent those who have been affected by mental health issues and help to celebrate the great strides they made in combating and controlling the awful affliction.

"The art on display in the galley is a real indication of the help and support our residents can get in creatively leading normal and constructive lives and very inspirational it is too."

The exhibition will be open from 10am to 5pm daily in the Riverside House art gallery. Admission is free.