Blackburn gets £23k boost for mental health arts therapy (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn gets £23k boost for mental health arts therapy

7:30pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in News

AN arts and crafts project that helps residents in Blackburn with mental health problems, is celebrating a £23,000 windfall.

Crafting Confidence, based at the Energy Zone in Roman Road Community Centre, uses arts and craft sessions as a form of therapy, as research has shown that creative activity can be as effective as anti-depressants in treating mild to moderate anxiety and depression.

The money, an Ecominds grant from the mental health charity Mind, on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund, will help the charity meet increasing demand.

Jan Calderbank from Crafting Confidence said: “We are thrilled to be able to continue supporting those who attend this fantastic project each week.

“For our participants the project is a chance to meet new people, learn new skills and vitally, build self esteem and escape the pressures or isolation many people feel every day.” She added: “We have welcomed more than a hundred and fifty people through our doors in the last two years and, thanks to this second Ecominds grant from Mind, will be able to help many more people experiencing mental health problems in the months ahead.”

The Ecominds grant will help the Crafting project respond to this demand, against the difficult backdrop of budget cuts, changes to service commissioning and increased public demand for mental health support.