The photos, taken by photography students from York St John’s University, now adorn the walls of the mental health hospital Foss Park which is run by Tees Esk, and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).
The images, such as 15th century prayer books, illuminated manuscripts, and a road map of Yorkshire from 1675, are all part of the Arts strategy at Foss Park which is led by Converge in partnership with the trust.
Converge is a programme run by the university alongside mental health service providers like TEWV – the mental health and learning disability trust for the region.
The aim is to open-up university life and all it can offer to people who, for a time in their lives, have experienced mental ill health.”
Staff at Foss Park Hospital have been working with Converge since 2021, to create rolling creative arts exhibitions in the main reception area and throughout the corridors.
A group of curators comprising of staff and volunteers from TEWV, Converge, York St John University, local arts, heritage and creative organisations and people with lived experience of mental illness meet regularly throughout the year to plan the artwork and music for the wards and reception area.
Rebecca, activity coordinator for Moorcroft ward at Foss Park Hospital, works with the Converge Arts project, running activities to engage patients in daily activity, including creative opportunities. Rebecca supports the ward-based programmes for patients at different stages of recovery.
Rebecca said: “Patients really look forward to the art sessions. I also run creative sessions as part of my work and am always delighted when the results can be shown in the corridors and on the ward.
“There is always lots of engagement for creativity on the ward and patients do come up with plenty of ideas for materials to try out and have a go.
“It is great to be part of the wider exhibition space and show what we do in the wards.”
Converge runs free courses, including art, theatre, creative writing, music, film and media, for local adults with experience of mental illness. The online or in person courses are taught by people with expertise or lived experience of mental illness.
Converge also has a Discovery Hub, funded by TEWV, which supports people to make the next steps in their journey to recovery linking them to Converge and career opportunities once they are home from hospital.
Find out more about Converge and what they do here
