A free public exhibition of more than 50 artworks showcasing the best service user and staff art, music and literature from across Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP), is being held this week.
AWP has teamed up with National Trust, Bath Assembly Rooms to host the exhibition, which will explore themes of 'gathering and social connection', and how this relates to people’s mental health journeys.
Service users, staff, carers, family and friends from across AWP with lived experience of mental health challenges, have been invited to take part in the exhibition in response to a brief from Bath Assembly Rooms about the importance of social connection. The exhibition will feature art, illustration, photography, music, dance, as well as a range of other mediums.
People can visit the exhibition, which will be held at SOMER on Bartlett Street, on Friday 21 November between 2-8pm.
Jo Collins, Deputy Head of Patient and Carer Experience at AWP, said: “We are really excited to have teamed up with Bath Assembly Rooms to showcase our artworks to a wider population. This exhibition will help to break down the stigma around mental health, improve understanding, and strengthen social connection – both for service users and members of the public.
“We encourage everyone, whatever their background, to come along and share the experience, learn more about the mental health journey that different people go on, and hopefully improve understanding of their own mental health.”
Representations of social connection will include holistic approaches, bringing nature into practice, and health and wellbeing activities.
The exhibition aims to:
• Break down stigma and promote mental health awareness.
• Build social connection with the community.
• Encourage peer support to empower individuals.
• Build and strengthen communities to bring about positive change.
• Improve engagement with our voluntary and community partners.
• Use art, music, literature to reflect the diversity and strength of lived experience.
Hazel Hatton, Senior Visitor Experience Officer at Bath Assembly Rooms, said: “The Assembly Rooms was built as a place of social connection where people shared ideas, enjoyed music and entertainment, and made lifelong connections with others. People have long come to Bath not just for their physical health, but for the mental health benefits of sharing experiences with others. We are delighted to be working with AWP to continue this history and explore how Bath Assembly Rooms can be a place for social connection and mental well-being in the future.”
This exhibition is part of Reconnecting the Rooms – a project that aims to bring people together and improve social connection as Bath Assembly Rooms undergoes a £17 m refurbishment. Reconnecting the Rooms has been made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.