What is Core Arts?

Core Arts offers a fully equipped and staffed creative arts centre.

Psychological Wellbeing through Creative Education

  • Offering access to 70 + creative classes a week under four departments: Arts, Music, Multimedia, Horticulture and a Sport Programme.

  • Open studios and resources to work on self directed projects.

  • 3 bookable recording studios

  • 4 exhibition spaces

  • 2 art studios

  • 32 professional PGCE trained, established and practicing tutors offering excellent education and inspiration in the creative arts.

  • Effective individual guidance and support in personalised progression and skills development.

Supportive Learning Environment

  • 50 creative volunteers, working as tutor’s assistants offering 1:1 individual support and guidance on a weekley basis.

  • Individual assessment of referral and Creative Work Plan, goal-setting with achievable objectives to promote success and provide a personalised service tailored to the individual’s needs and aims.

A short history

Established in 1992 out of a meeting of an entrepreneurial artist and a group of psychiatric patients Core Arts has become a sophisticated and dynamic charity, priding itself in its exceptional user governance, ensuring relevance and integrity to all its developments. With extensive experience in creative education for people suffering severe mental health issues

“ I have really enjoyed using my music to bring people together and making friends. Music and Core Arts have become a lifelife at this time, giving me the confidence to be myself ”

Service User Guided

From its original beginning in 1992 Core Arts service users have and are contributing daily to shaping Core’s direction and vision as well as sculpting its artistic agenda.

  • Core Arts structure is one of inclusion.
  • Core Arts encourages a cohesive multi cultural environment in which the creativity of all trustees, staff, volunteers, client or audience can flourish.
  • Our thoughtful, non-tokenistic implementation of the Equality and Diversity Policy is absolutely central to our effective cultural diversity practice and we are proud in attaining true inclusiveness.

“ … gives me a chance to talk and exchange ideas with unusual and inspiring people”

Progression to Wellbeing

Progression Pathways

Opportunities to volunteer, develop existing skills and experience work-like activity and training; including contributing to the running of Core Ar ts through the members Involvement Scheme and Core Council.

Opportunities for clients to progress to public per formances, exhibitions, publishing, further education, volunteering, work experience oppor tunities and employment.

Placements in our award winning innovative Social Enterprise: Core Landscapes

Mission Statement

Core Arts exists to enrich the lives of socially excluded people with severe mental health issues Through professional educational input and emotional support we are able to develop and promote the individuals artistic and creative ability. Our aim is to empower and equip service users to achieve their personal goals and aspirations and make a full contribution to society

Core Arts values

  • Service User Guided The service users guide all our work

  • Innovative Our ground breaking approach to engaging service user’s creativity enables people to achieve their full potential

  • Artistic excellence Our commitment is to high quality professional standards which will inspire and enable students to excel

  • Inclusivity The principle of embracing the value of diversity is fundamental to all our work with a particular focus on marginalised groups

  • Positivity Our priority is always to focus on service user’s positive attributes and strengths rather than their perceived difficulties MISSION

Strategic Aims

  • To challenge negative stereotypes and the stigma facing people with mental health problems by the promotion of their positive attributes and strengths

  • To develop the artistic and creative potential of our service users and increase their access to the benefits of the arts.

    1. Increase service users’ confidence and self esteem through their engagement with a practical working enterprise
    2. To increase the service users’ employability
    3. To generate income for Core Arts to enable the organisation achieve its charitable aims and objective and Page 6 use below title and side note.

Outcomes for members

Core Arts intensive wrap around is designed to facilitate rapid progress by providing a temporary framework of positive social networks enabling the member to build up more independently similar structures that are sustainable beyond the length of service.

This has shown to have a direct impact on quality of life, observed by clinicians, core arts staff and members’ self assessments. The importance of a space that promotes wellbeing is key; members report on feeling in control of their support, surroundings and respond to responsibility and adult settings that are active (and permitting equitable roles) in the space. Creative education is accessible and a highly regarded skills focus. This challenges the concept of disadvantage or vulnerability. The person is regarded beyond their mental health diagnosis which enables positive regard, showcasing and enhancing skills, interests and therefore parity of esteem.

  • Connecting with others: Core Arts provides those who are experiencing mental health issues and at risk for social exclusion an opportunity to interact with others who have had similar experiences and to build relationships with them. A necessary support system can be established here- especially for those who do not have social support systems (or family) in place.
  • Peer support and mentoring: the emphasis on creative expression, progression and learning through creative activity allows members creative freedom to regain confidence and reconstruct own identity as an artist/ competent individual. This is mutually beneficial to the organisation and the member.
  • Skill Development/access to learning: Creative skill development is the main focus at Core Arts and establishes human capital (self investment/ own assets/ strengths) for each member. Learning and skill development, completion of projects & goals can continue irregardless of mental health difficulties.Engagement in the creative process encourages skill development in cognitive process as well, such as planning, decision-making, problem solving etc.
  • Self-esteem building: In addition to skill development, social factors, such as the support and affirmation from tutors as one’s artwork/ composition is appreciated, encourages improvements in the member’s selfperception and beliefs about their potential and actualise/realise achievements.
  • Development of artist identity (changing the label): The opportunities for creative skill development and the validation of ability enables the adoption of positive regard/perspective from others (talent).
  • Bridging opportunities. greater lived experience: Members are able to take on greater responsibility through volunteering positions at Core Arts, work training and build employable skills. They are also able to establish relationships with the community through the exhibitions and event opportunities made available to members/ local networks/arts community.
  • Being active & structured activities; impact on motivation, routine and lifestyle and wellbeing. Core Arts timetable plus daytime/evening and various weekend events as part of events program.
  • Education and Progression routes/achievements; Core Arts have established move on opportunities for members to continue personal development (away from mental health services)
  • Non clinical environment in preparation for mainstream opportunities (of which is not currently able to engage due to support needs)
  • Keeping Safe/risk management/well-being; early intervention and communication with services (Core Arts supported communication & intervention) re: welfare, safeguarding, self care.
  • Better sense of support and options to seek help: less crisis admissions/less CMHT input/less dependency on NHS services.
  • Access when on the wards – part of treatment plan/ rehabilitation.
  • Quality of life and impact of environment and spaces: London is an urban, heavy and for some, difficult place to live and find beauty or space. Core provides an open, large space & creative flourishing environment.
  • Connecting with others: Core Arts provides those who are experiencing mental health issues and at risk for social exclusion an opportunity to interact with others who have had similar experiences and to build relationships with them. A necessary support system can be established here- especially for those who do not have social support systems (or family) in place.
  • Peer support and mentoring: the emphasis on creative expression, progression and learning through creative activity allows members creative freedom to regain confidence and reconstruct own identity as an artist/ competent individual. This is mutually beneficial to the organisation and the member.
  • Skill Development/access to learning: Creative skill development is the main focus at Core Arts and establishes human capital (self investment/ own assets/ strengths) for each member. Learning and skill development, completion of projects & goals can continue irregardless of mental health difficulties.Engagement in the creative process encourages skill development in cognitive process as well, such as planning, decision-making, problem solving etc.
  • Self-esteem building: In addition to skill development, social factors, such as the support and affirmation from tutors as one’s artwork/ composition is appreciated, encourages improvements in the member’s selfperception and beliefs about their potential and actualise/realise achievements.
  • Development of artist identity (changing the label): The opportunities for creative skill development and the validation of ability enables the adoption of positive regard/perspective from others (talent).
  • Bridging opportunities. greater lived experience: Members are able to take on greater responsibility through volunteering positions at Core Arts, work training and build employable skills. They are also able to establish relationships with the community through the exhibitions and event opportunities made available to members/ local networks/arts community.
  • Being active & structured activities; impact on motivation, routine and lifestyle and wellbeing. Core Arts timetable plus daytime/evening and various weekend events as part of events program.
  • Education and Progression routes/achievements; Core Arts have established move on opportunities for members to continue personal development (away from mental health services)
  • Non clinical environment in preparation for mainstream opportunities (of which is not currently able to engage due to support needs)
  • Keeping Safe/risk management/well-being; early intervention and communication with services (Core Arts supported communication & intervention) re: welfare, safeguarding, self care.
  • Better sense of support and options to seek help: less crisis admissions/less CMHT input/less dependency on NHS services.
  • Access when on the wards – part of treatment plan/ rehabilitation.
  • Quality of life and impact of environment and spaces: London is an urban, heavy and for some, difficult place to live and find beauty or space. Core provides an open, large space & creative flourishing environment.

Art

Music

Multimedia

Performance

Events

Culture

Exhibitions

Sports and health

Support & recovery

Personal goals and
achievement

see our full timetable 

Member involvement

Service User Guided

  • Board of Trustees: Core Arts Trustee board is made up of two thirds members or ex members ensuring that the Charity is service user guided.
  • Core Council: For the past 21 years Core Council service user run, monthly meetings, have been central to Core Arts development and ethos and continue to provide guidance for the organisation. The council has a formal written agenda and is chaired by service users. A member of the Trustee Board is also present so that ideas can go straight to management level. These are formal gatherings run by members to exchange information, ideas and debate issues as they arise. The council is at the heart of Core Arts and the place where inspiration springs into action.
  • Departmental Meetings: Clients are also invited to each departmental meeting and to events meetings to allow involvement at all levels and to provide a full service user contribution to managing the program ensuring that it meets the needs of our clients.
  • Member volunteers: a part of the progression and development of individuals includes the option to ‘give back’ and support others to grow. Many of our members become volunteers and help with the running of the charity and harness their skill set.

Events

Core Arts Events program promotes social inclusion, cohesion and encourages discourse around mental health combatting stigma associated with disabilities.

Events