Paul Monks, Artistic Director

Core Arts, set up in 1992, promotes positive mental health and wellbeing through a college-like environment of creative learning. Providing quality education, training, employment and social enterprise initiatives that enable people who experience mental health issues to overcome barriers, fulfil their potential and participate fully in their community.

We realised that people with severe and enduring mental health problems are at risk of mental state deterioration during the pandemic with less community contact, social and physical restrictions and health concerns – some may be receiving no contact from services.

Sub-contracted by ELFT, we developed an extensive programme of remote access wellbeing activities for this group.

Text messages have been sent to the 6000 residents on the SMI (Serious Mental illness) register and/or with a diagnosis of personality disorder. Those not contactable by text will receive a letter. This puts people in contract with the ELFT crisis line if needed, and with Core’s triage point.

We set up a new team who take calls and triage into a programme of online arts, sports,
wellbeing, befriending and access to personal health budgets, as well as to services from other VCSE organisations and ELFT. The staff are also establishing a text based contract with service users who opt into the service.

Core Arts website