I took a visit to 42nd street, an organisation working with teenagers to support their mental health.
I met with Rod Kippen who is the the creative producer at 42nd street. Rod briefed me on the projects 42nd street have to offer for young people.
Some questions I asked Rod to answer:
1. What do arts for health mean to you?
Through running arts for health session that art has many ways in which it can benefit those who take part in it
– From being a positive space to be with others, take time out of routine to explore and experiment with arts materials.
– A place where you can explore/ strengthen/ challenge your inner world and make physical your thoughts, feeling and views and form new relationships with these previously internal dialogues.
– A place to convey your experiences, give voice for the benefit of others or to challenge the status quo in order to create more positive response to your experience.
All these aspects are beneficial to our sense of self and purpose and therefor support our health and wellbeing
2. How are you involved in the arts for health community?
I have been a freelance arts/ creative session facilitator for the past 6 years, working with various community groups (many having faced some form of trauma previous to our being involved) to explore art, creativity and expression. I have recently moved into the role of creative producer at The Horsfall Gallery. The gallery is part of the 42nd street mental health charity for young people 13-25 and offers various creative sessions and projects young people can get involved in. We offer various opportunities to young people and undertake these in various ways, from one to one arts sessions, drop in creative space, to group projects often working with professional artists on joint projects.
3. How do you see the future of arts for health?
I look forward to a recognition on the value of artistic involvement for all people, Including the way that it can benefit health. I think this will support a greater democratisation of the arts, away from the elite gatekeepers of the commercial art world to a society where more people are able to express themselves in various ways and impact society through their expression.
My notes about 42nd street:
The service is free,
Young people can self refer, ages 13-25. all referrals have a waiting list.
There is a phone assessment for group work. safeguarding regulations, to ensure the safety for for others in the group, and making sure to secure a good group dynamic.
Some young people in the group may struggle with issues such as anxiety so it is important to be sensitive to this when putting groups together.
Social prescribing
The organisation runs:
-Drop in Thursdays,
creative space for young people to access
-Creative agents group
Mondays 5-6.30
In the gallery space/ creating work , led by an artist.
-Brighter sound 13-18
What is like to be a teenager/ theatre/ youth/ loneliness
working with Manchester craft centre.
13th May
Mental health awareness week is coming up in May, project for creative agents to write on the windows about mental health for the public to view from the street.
The Horsfall gallery, part of 42nd street, is a place for the young people as well as local artists to exhibit their work.
As you can see, 42nd street have created an appropriately inviting safe space for young people to be creative, socialise and relax.
They have leaflets and wall displays all around for projects that young people can get involved with, or any mental health services they could contact for additional support.
The centre is still establishing itself and there is so much potential that is going to grow over the next few years- watch this space.
The centre is warm and welcoming, with an indoor and outdoor space,
there is the Horsfall gallery, and also quieter rooms for any counselling one to one sessions to take place in.
Exploring Arts For Health 
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