Creative Alternatives

💜This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek is about taking action & making choices for our mental health. So if you live in St Helens and you're looking for a creative and social way to improve stress, anxiety or low mood, then Creative Alternatives could be exactly what you need! 💜Our groups provide a friendly, supportive and caring place where you can be yourself and you'll find understanding people to connect with. 💜Whilst creativity is at the heart of what we do, it's not about how good you are or being judged on what you create; it's about enjoying a time that's just for you, being free to express your ideas and letting go of right and wrong. 💜Please get in touch for an informal chat and to find out how you could get involved and start your creative wellbeing journey: .uk

Creative Alternatives is an award-winning arts-based social prescribing programme that has been supporting adult mental wellbeing across the North West of England since 2006. The programme works with adults living with stress, depression and anxiety, creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can slow down, express themselves, and connect with others. There is no pressure to be “good at art” or to produce a finished result. Instead, creativity is treated as something we all carry, with sessions shaped around play, curiosity and personal growth. Rooted in the Five Ways to Wellbeing, alongside integrative and trauma-informed practice, Creative Alternatives gently weaves self-care into every session. Here, many participants speak of growing confidence, feeling more emotionally resilient, experiencing moments of relief from pain, and finding a renewed sense of belonging. We invite you to take a moment to enjoy our gallery of participant artwork, a celebration of the creativity, individuality, and talents that emerge through the programme! 🌍 .uk/gallery/ @aleftrust @creativealternatives_ @jessica_bockler @meta @instagram #AlefTrust #CreativeAlternatives #CreativeWellbeing #ArtsForMentalHealth #ArtsOnPrescription

Creative Alternatives is an award-winning arts-based social prescribing programme that has been supporting adult mental wellbeing across the North West of England since 2006. The programme works with adults living with stress, depression and anxiety, creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can slow down, express themselves, and connect with others. There is no pressure to be “good at art” or to produce a finished result. Instead, creativity is treated as something we all carry, with sessions shaped around play, curiosity and personal growth. Rooted in the Five Ways to Wellbeing, alongside integrative and trauma-informed practice, Creative Alternatives gently weaves self-care into every session. Here, many participants speak of growing confidence, feeling more emotionally resilient, experiencing moments of relief from pain, and finding a renewed sense of belonging. We invite you to take a moment to enjoy our gallery of participant artwork, a celebration of the creativity, individuality, and talents that emerge through the programme! 🌍 .uk/gallery/ @aleftrust @jessica_bockler @creativealternatives_ @meta @instagram #AlefTrust #CreativeAlternatives #CreativeWellbeing #ArtsForMentalHealth #ArtsOnPrescription

Creative Alternatives is an award-winning arts-based social prescribing programme that has been supporting adult mental wellbeing across the North West of England since 2006. The programme works with adults living with stress, depression and anxiety, creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can slow down, express themselves, and connect with others. There is no pressure to be “good at art” or to produce a finished result. Instead, creativity is treated as something we all carry, with sessions shaped around play, curiosity and personal growth. Rooted in the Five Ways to Wellbeing, alongside integrative and trauma-informed practice, Creative Alternatives gently weaves self-care into every session. Here, many participants speak of growing confidence, feeling more emotionally resilient, experiencing moments of relief from pain, and finding a renewed sense of belonging. We invite you to take a moment to enjoy our gallery of participant artwork, a celebration of the creativity, individuality, and talents that emerge through the programme! 🌍 .uk/gallery/ @creativealternatives_ @aleftrust @meta @instagram @jessica_bockler #AlefTrust #CreativeAlternatives #CreativeWellbeing #ArtsForMentalHealth #SocialPrescribing

Creative Alternatives is an award-winning arts-based social prescribing programme that has been supporting adult mental wellbeing across the North West of England since 2006. The programme works with adults living with stress, depression and anxiety, creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can slow down, express themselves, and connect with others. There is no pressure to be “good at art” or to produce a finished result. Instead, creativity is treated as something we all carry, with sessions shaped around play, curiosity and personal growth. Rooted in the Five Ways to Wellbeing, alongside integrative and trauma-informed practice, Creative Alternatives gently weaves self-care into every session. Here, many participants speak of growing confidence, feeling more emotionally resilient, experiencing moments of relief from pain, and finding a renewed sense of belonging. We invite you to take a moment to enjoy our gallery of participant artwork, a celebration of the creativity, individuality, and talents that emerge through the programme! 🌍 .uk/gallery/ @creativealternatives_ @aleftrust @jessica_bockler @meta @instagram #AlefTrust #CreativeAlternatives #CreativeWellbeing #ArtsForMentalHealth #SocialPrescribing

Thursday 5th Feb is #timetotalkday If you’re feeling alone & in need of support for your mental health now could be your time to talk but also… time to listen to yourself time to take a first step to get help time to connect with others time to be creative! Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more how Creative Alternatives in #sthelens can help you to start your wellbeing journey 💜 .uk @sthelenscouncil @sthlibrariesandarts

Today is #worldcancerday - if you or someone you are caring for with cancer needs help and support there's an event at Lucem House organised by St Helens Wellbeing Service and Macmillan Cancer Support. Drop in between 11am - 1pm to find out more. We will be there too promoting Creative Alternatives for anyone who might be in need of creative support for their mental wellbeing 💚

Creative Alternatives has marked ten years of supporting wellbeing in St Helens, as recently featured in the St Helens Star! Since 2015, the programme, delivered by Alef Trust and commissioned by St Helens Borough Council through its Arts in Libraries initiative, has helped local residents manage anxiety, depression, and stress through creative expression and connection. The anniversary was celebrated at the World of Glass Museum on World Mental Health Day, bringing together participants, partners, and community representatives. Many shared how the programme has been a lifeline, offering purpose and belonging through art, writing, and mindfulness. With new funding secured, Creative Alternatives will continue to grow, develop new partnerships, and introduce a volunteer programme. Artwork created over the years will also tour libraries across the borough, highlighting the role of artistic expression in supporting mental health and community wellbeing - proving that creativity isn’t just art, it’s medicine for the mind and heart! 🌍 /news/25552052.st-helens-arts-wellbeing-scheme-celebrates-ten-years/ @creativealternatives_ @sthelensstar @jessica_bockler @aleftrust @meta @instagram #AlefTrust #CreativeAlternatives #StHelensStar #ArtsInLibraries #MentalHealthAwareness #CommunityWellbeing #AlefApplied #CreativeHealing #ArtsForHealth #MindfulnessThroughArt #WorldMentalHealthDay #WellbeingThroughCreativity #ExpressiveArts #Instagram #InstagramForBusiness

Creative Alternatives: Celebrating 10 Years of Arts Prescribed Mental Health Support in Merseyside Led by Creative Alternatives, this decade long initiative in the Merseyside region uses arts based methods; such as visual art, writing, sculpture and mindfulness to support adults experiencing anxiety, depression or stress. Established in Sefton in 2006 and later expanding to St Helens, the programme places the person before the diagnosis and creativity before clinical classification. Through its flexible workshop blocks, offered both in person and online, participants engage in a nurturing environment that fosters self expression, confidence and connection. Evaluation data demonstrate significant improvements in wellbeing scores, with many participants describing the service as a vital lifeline. A selection of images showcases the vibrancy of these creative sessions, highlighting participant artworks, group activities and the supportive, inclusive atmosphere that defines the Creative Alternatives experience. 🌍 /creative-alternatives-celebrating-10-years-of-arts-prescribed-mental-health-support-in-merseyside/ @creativealternatives_ @sthelenscouncil @helenholden @jessica_bockler @aleftrust @instagram @meta #CreativeAlternatives #ArtsOnPrescription #MentalHealthSupport #MerseysideCommunity #ArtForWellbeing #SocialPrescribing #CreativeHealth #WellbeingThroughArt #InclusiveCreativity #AlefField #AlefTrust #AlefApplied #InstagramForBusiness #Instagram

Nearly twenty years ago, I was invited to create a new arts & wellbeing programme in the Northwest of England. We called it Creative Alternatives. 💫 I gathered a team of artists, and together we began creating art with people living with stress, depression and anxiety. Creating poetry and sculptures and table top gardens and performances, staging installations in shopping centres and displays at flower shows, and even building two labyrinths in public parks. 🌸🚲🎨 Against all odds over years of austerity, Creative Alternatives has continued to flourish, winning awards for innovation in public health and helping people rediscover meaning, joy and belonging. Today on #WorldMentalHealthDay, I’m heading to St Helens to celebrate 10 years of Creative Alternatives in the borough, and to honour the extraordinary team who have kept this work alive and thriving: ✨ Helen Holden ✨ Sarah Jane Richards ✨ Hazel Mutch ✨ Sian Hughes ✨ Sian Hutchinson … and everyone who has contributed over the years. Sheryl Clowes, Karen Lauke, Stephanie Fry, Anisa Saleh, Elizabeth Lovell, Rachael Radford, Wibke Hott, Selina Dunne, John Ayling, Abi Horsefield, Adela Jones... And all the commissioners and champions who have made this work possible over the years. You are FABULOUS. 🥳 Let’s celebrate creativity and its power to heal and transform lives. 💖 #CreativeAlternatives #ArtsAndWellbeing #CommunityArts #SocialPrescribing #WorldMentalHealthDay #CreativityHeals #ArtsForHealth #StHelens #MerseysideArts #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingThroughArt #AlefTrust #JessicaBockler #HelenHolden #AlefApplied #Instagram

This #WorldMentalHealthDay take a step towards a creative direction & make a positive difference to your mental health & wellbeing. For more info on how to get involved contact: [email protected] or call 07745 590698 #wmhd2024 #sthelens #wellbeing #creativity #artsonprescription #Ok2Ask

Creative Alternatives offer free weekly sessions in St Helens to help people who are living with mild to moderate depression and anxiety. We use #mindfulness and #creativity in a safe supportive setting to encourage expression and promote better #mentalwellbeing . Taster sessions coming up at the end of October - please email [email protected] for more information