An Independent Arts-Related Organisation for Vulnerable People
Responses to Creative Response
“The measure of a civilised society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. It is superficial to assume that the arts are a luxury, when social and environmental decay is so prevalent. The arts are vital for our well-being; the opportunities they offer for personal growth and self-development are limitless.
Psychological and social problems may seem intractable when tackled head on. Fears associated with change become far easier to approach when the arts are used as a catalyst. Enduring mental distress, substance misuse or psycho/sexual abuse can often leave a person with no opportunities to move on over many years. This can induce apathy, which is a further obstruction to recovery. The re-kindling of interest, the growth of enthusiasm, the discovery of confidence and self-esteem, all of these can be achieved when an individual is introduced to a programme of arts-related activities. Fundamental changes in both attitude and approach must take place on a national and local level in order that all those who experience mental distress can have their needs addressed by more attentive authorities.
Creative Response provides its participants with continuity, a safe haven and a realistic and therapeutic environment. We are artsworkers and enablers; we are not art teachers, nor are we art therapists. We run sessions that are tailored to the individual needs of each participant. There is a high level of one-to-one work; artists alongside participants sharing the experience.”
Michael Prinsep, Artist / Director
“People who have experienced mental illness have creative gifts that they need to contribute to their community. People who have experienced mental illness want to share their lives with people who welcome them as friends and colleagues on equal terms. People who have experienced mental illness, have a valuable voice, which needs to be heard by everyone.
Healing does not come primarily from medication or therapies, but through inclusion within the corporate energy of a living community. Healing starts by looking at the whole person and appreciating all the good that is there. Healing is not a one-way process; we need each other by being present to each other in a creative relationship. We have responsibilities to care for each other. We have responsibilities to raise the self-esteem of the most disadvantaged members of our community. We have responsibilities to include the most excluded.
Creative Response is what it says it is. It is the name for an organisation where artists and people who experience mental distress can be responsible for each other, creating a cell of beauty, harmony and trust.”
The Late Jeremy Boutwood, Community Development Co-ordinator, Guildford Social Services
“The image of the artist wrestling against adversity and triumphing in the act of creation is an enduring one. The power of the arts to affect the very soul is one that has long been recognised. It remains an important tool to counter the stresses and strains in society which affect all of us to some degree. Such a powerful tool needs skilled arts practitioners to make the best of it. Having such human resources, Creative Response can playa unique role. The special care and attention that artsworkers and others give, provide a service which is of inestimable value to all those who come into contact with it.”
Philip Trumble, Director of Surrey Youth Music and Performing Arts
“I know from my heart that it is essential to have a safe place for people to develop creatively. Creative Response is a safe place for people to develop. Creative Response is a safe place to do or not to do, because you are allowed room to heal, allowed to develop at your own pace. Creativity is essential to healing.”
Participant
“Creative Response is freedom from the cage that they call my skull. It allows me to express so freely, thoughts that my mind continually mulls. Creative Response is my incentive to rise from my bed every day because I am not watched every moment by nurses whose stare has turned grey.
I look forward to each day I go there, for everyone has something new to show me about my thought process - even the squirrels do their share.
Creative Response has a garden with trees and birds to see. The garden brings peace to my being, when nothing else works for me.”
Participant
“We are under no pressure to do our work, which is good because the less pressure, the better with my disability. Staff are here to help us with our work, which is a great benefit to us all. Group outings are of enormous fun and interest and sometimes become part of our work in the form of group projects on these subjects.”
Participant
“Creative Response is the place to be,
With arts and crafts, which is fine for me.
People are always there, which is not,
Too grim to bear!”
Participant
“Creative Response has turned my life around and given me so much self-confidence, not only in my activities there, but also a vast range of interests I perviously had no access to. Creative Response, one could say, is a a safe haven for troubled minds where one can participate in artistic activities of every kind.”
Participant
“I have been involved with Creative Response for about nine years and have watched with great interest, the steady progress in the help and care given to vulnerable people. My son, David, (who experiences a learning disability) is one of these people and it is a great comfort for me to see him fitting into this group and playing his part in such a way I never thought possible.”
Mother of Participant
“Creative Response are the perfect tenants. They are polite most of the time; clean up after themselves; and pay their rent on time. One should also add, that their work with the vulnerable members of society, is sensational.”
Susan Segal, Manager, Riverhouse Barn, Community Arts Studio, Walton-on-Thames
“It is a real bonus to have Creative Response working in the Borough of Elmbridge. When supporting Creative Response projects, the Trust always feel confident that they will not only give participants an opportunity to develop and enjoy their individual creativity alongside professional artists, but will do this in a caring environment where they will become a valued member of a team.”
Beccy Jones, Former Director RC Sherriff Rosebriars Trust
“Here members seek respite from diagnosis and clinical treatment. We provide a safe environment where they are free to 'try' things. The art objects produced become personal keepsakes, which remind the maker (and others) of associated thought, feelings, events and conversations. Meanwhile, members can ponder new directions their lives might take.”
Howard Romp, Artist, Designer, Educator
“I have known about Creative Response and the great work they do for about eight years now. I am proud to be associated with Mike and his team. I hear nothing but praise for the work and help they give.”
Richard Davies, Surrey Alcohol and Drugs Advisory Service
“As a CPN with clients who attend Creative Response; I have been amazed at the results - wall lights, pictures, mirror frames, jugs etc, etc, all beautifully done and all containing a personal history, which makes them so special. Clients are very proud of their achievements and this increases their self-worth.”
Vicky Smith, CPN, Farnham CMHT
“For some months, I had been suffering from severe depression. With the help of a Community Psychiatric Nurse, I was seeking therapeutic measures to help with my recovery, which eventually led me to Creative Response where I could perhaps pick up my interest in art. All this led to an interview with Mike Prinsep, at the time, in Harts Yard, Farnham. I was accepted and commenced the following week. My first painting was done in one colour. With the help of artsworkers, I progressed from there to the stage I am at now, (painting all sorts of subjects in full colour). We are now situated at Vernon House, which is a great step up from Harts Yard. The numbers have increased and Creative Response has other branches in addition. The atmosphere is very amicable and everyone is accepted as they are. All have been recommended to Creative Response and few give up.
Some wonderful work is created and all is very acceptable. A lot of encouragement is given by all the artsworkers. Morale is high and everyone is enthusiastic once they arrive. Yearly exhibitions are held where the exhibits are offered for sale and we certainly do succeed! There are also the occasional outings and visits to other art exhibitions, when all can attend if they wish.”
Participant
“A dying man clutches at straws! Creative Response not only offers straw but clay, paint, re-cycled materials, music, video, PLUS an atmosphere where latent possibilities manifest into wondrous creations.”
Artsworker
“Three years ago, a group of artists presented themselves to us with a view to setting up groups in our area. As a way of understanding what was on offer, a workshop for staff was set up. About eight staff attended and we built a boat. One of the first groups to set up was at the Day Hospital, Chapel Street. I could see all sorts of things going on and was amazed at the first exhibition - not only at the quality of the work, but also seeing work on show by the most unexpected people and could see the effect this had on how each person involved viewed themselves. For two of my original referrals, Creative Response has opened up whole new worlds. It is difficult to describe the effects of this personal growth on them and others involved, both now and over the past years. I still remember the boat.”
Anna Colbourn, Former Nurse Manager, The Day Hospital, Chapel Street Clinic, Chichester.
“The potential for creativity is always present.”