The Helm's Christmas Craft Fair

After the previous successes of our Easter Craft Fair and Art Exhibition we held to celebrate World Mental Health Week, we have been working towards our Christmas Craft Fair which is taking place Tuesday 20th December from 11am to 3pm. Free Admission to all! 

There will be beautiful handmade Arts and Crafts for sale including textiles, paintings, jewellery and christmas decorations! There will also be bric a brac and childrens activities as well as hot homemade food and beverages, a selection of cakes and mince pies served from our cafe!   

Everybody has been busily creating all sorts of magical christmassy items to sell to raise money for The Helm. They will be affordable prices for very high quality artistry and worth a look so come along! 

We have taken the pictures with our new camera that we bought with the proceeds of the last Easter Craft fair earlier this year which was very successful!                             





Christmas Card designed during Art Session

 

Mixed Media Collage by Alex






Decorative Heart by Rosie

 


Oversized Shopping bag by Dawn





Fabric Heart Decorations by Dawn

  

Strawberry Pincushions Made by Dawn




Mixed media piece made by everyone at The Helm

Morecambe by Alan

Explosion by Dave

Cards made during art session

  

The Dukes Theatre Art Exhibition to celebrate World Mental Health Week

 

Zebra by Alan Crawshaw

Sold for £20

The Exhibition that we had spent weeks planning towards was a great success and ran from the 26th September till 4th October was also incorporated in the "Wired in"monthly event that is run at the Dukes at their request.

 Artwork from other local projects including the Hearing Voices group, the Adult College and Peer Support were included in the exhibition as well as work by local artists linked to The Helm.
We had live music spanish gypsy folk style and drinks to create a wonderful lively atmostphere and sold our artwork through a silent bidding system which worked very well and meant that people were free to bid on pictures to the value of what they thought they were worth!
This was the first exhibition we have held and it gave service users a massive boost as to our possibilites for future exhibitions and events.

Blue Guitar by Louis Barthein
sold for £40




Cupcake purse by Vicky Shepherd
Sold for £6



African Lady by Alan Crawshaw
Sold for £35

Vincent Van Gogh
Still for Sale

The Exhibition opening on 26th September at The Dukes Gallery
was a great event enjoyed by everyone who attended!
We raised around £300 through silent bidding over the week.





Mixed Media piece created by service users and staff at The Helm



New Sessions running from The Helm as from 22nd August

Monday

Advice and Guidance all day @ The Helm
10.00am to 4.00pm
Baking Session @ The Helm 
Gentle cooking session baking pies or cakes 
Also making homemade lemonade and soft drinks to eat here or take home.
2.00pm till 3.00pm

Tuesday

Art for Relaxation all day @ The Helm
11.00am till 3.30pm
A good opportunity to unleash creative talent through any medium you like, including painting, crafts or mixed media.
We are working towards an exhibition displaying at The Dukes Theatre for World Mental Health Week. We are also working towards other small projects for other local services.

Wednesday

Advice and Guidance Drop in @ York House
1.00pm till 3.00pm
A open session for people to access in Morecambe offering Advocacy, advice and guidance and a chance to talk.

Local Photography/Walk @ The Helm
11.00am till 2.00pm
Local walks taking photographs of places of interest with a small group combined with light exercise and a drink in a cafe.
Moving Forward Skills for life @ The Helm
1.30pm till 3.00pm
Ways to look at your skills and experiences and how to use them to have more options and make better choices. Discussions offering ways to deal with everyday situations and raising your self esteem. 

Thursday

IT Support/ Board Games @ The Helm
11.00am till 12.30 pm
Computer support available as well as an opportunity to work through some basic computing skills through
 Myguide (Recognized Nationwide Computing Programme)
Service User Meeting @ The Helm
2.00pm till 2.30pm
A chance to come along and be involved in decisions made as to the running of the service and present ideas as to future progressions. Also an opportunity to be up to date on current plans on the weekly schedule!
Quiz @ The Helm
2.30 till 3.30 pm
The weekly quiz always stirs a lot of excitement at The Helm.
Teams compete for the prize which is a free snack and drink from the cafe for the winning team.

Friday

Advice and Guidance @ York House
1.00pm till 3.00pm
An open session for people to access in Morecambe offering Advocacy, Advice and guidance and a chance to talk
Sports/Gentle Exercise Class @ The Helm
2.00pm till 4.00pm
Trips to local sports venues to do various leisure activities to aid relaxation. Also an opportunity to enjoy yourself and have fun
Creative Writing @ The Helm
1.30pm till 3.00pm
Inspired creative thoughts in poetry, verse and short written pieces, discussion around ideas from penning memories to writing a book!

World Mental Health Week Exhibition at Local Gallery

Over the past couple of months we have been working towards an Art Exhibition showcasing the work that has been made during the Art For Relaxation Sessions at The Helm on Tuesdays.
Due to the previous success of our Easter Craft Fair we thought it would be nice to have something new to get our teeth into!
Paintings and Craftwork including rag rugs, jewellery, bags, quilting and collage all make up the exhibition that will run for a week at The Dukes Gallery in Lancaster from 27th September to the 4th October. There will be an opening on the first evening where everyone involved will have the opportunity to speak about new projects and plans.

We want to use this as an opportunity to promote awareness and break down the stigma surrounding mental health, to collaborate with other local services such as Help Direct, Creative Minds and Signposts at The Dukes Theatre, where people can display and talk about their work and the service that we all provide made up of trained staff and volunteers.
I have also contacted many local  artists who are donating a piece of art towards the exhibition to help us.
The outcome of the money we'll raise will be put back in to the service to buy an overhead projector for our up and coming film group.This will be an opportunity to make short films and presentations of other projects like photography, slide shows and film and perhaps involve input from local artists and film makers who could provide us with help on this new venture.

 An evening event held by The Dukes Theatre to promote World Mental Health Week will be a ticketed performance of Poetry Reading, Music, Art, Dance and Drama involving lots of other local services and a representation of the personal journey. Watch this space for more details!
We will be having a stall also a few of the evenings during the week will enable us also to talk about what we offer at The Helm and an opportunity for the public to talk to some of our artists about their work.
It is quite an exciting time if you'd like to be involved please contact us!

Here are some reviews of people who use The Helm Drop In Centre

Tracy Dobbie

What do you like about The Helm?

I like to come into The Helm to chat, meet my friends and relax. I take part in many different sessions and activities, but love trips out and would like more of these.
The food made in the cafe is very good and there is a nice atmostphere here and surroundings
The staff members are  friendly and supportive. I enjoy doing the arts and crafts.

What would you like us to do more of here at The Helm?

I'm really happy with the sessions that run and the different activities we do but would like more trips out every two weeks if possible.
I'd also like a few new things to add to the menu like a roast dinner with roasted vegetables, different pies on the pie day and an occassional treat of salmon which we could pay more for!

What way has The Helm helped you?

The Helm helps me to relax, forget some of my worries and helps me to socialize with other people who access the service.

What could be improved about The Helm?

Nothing!

James Willett

What do you like about The Helm?

It's the best place i've ever seen and used in my experience of mental health services, better than anywhere else i've been sent to. Works better for me than other volunteering placements i've been sent on. It doesn't stress me out and isn't repetitive , there's a nice variety of people here and a good change.This place definately answers a need, is non judgemental and lets you go at your own pace from a good distance.

What would you like to see more of?

More baking.

How do you feel The Helm has helped you?

The Helm has got me out of a rut,  gives me a routine on a bad day and helps me get out of myself.

What could be improved on?

Access.

Brian Hodgson

What do you like about The Helm?

I think it's a great drop in and very nice atmostphere.

I would like to volunteer here and lead Art sessions and pass on my skills.

What would you like to see more of?

More workrooms to do projects in.

How has The Helm helped you?

It has give me a place to come to  other than work

What can be improved on at The Helm?

I can see so many possibilities for developing new ideas in the future and would like to volunteer more

Our Trip to Windermere on 21st July



Enjoying the boat ride on Lake Windermere

With the money we made at our Easter Craft Fair
we decided at our service user meeting to pay for a trip to Windermere at the request of popular vote.
We organized and paid for a minibus and also subsidised the cost towards the boat ride across the lake.
It was a highly anticipated event that was enjoyed thoroughly by all. The ferry company gave us substantial discounts towards the costs of the seats on the boat also.


 some service user quotes of the day!


"It was really good, all the staff were great. What more is there to say!"


"It was great i love the boat, there were great views it was fun and i saw a castle from the boat"


"It was an enjoyable day!"










Paint effects over photocopied photographs, experimentation in our art class.

Sports and recreational activities in the local area

 We offer a great range of sports and recreation activities and can be enjoyed by a wide range of people. We have had great success and enjoyment from service users who have participated in these sessions.

          The sports and leisure activities change from week to week

Some of the activities we provide include Snooker, Badminton, Table Tennis, Crown Green Bowling, Swimming, local bike rides around our beautiful surrounding countryside and many more. We are always open to suggestions as they are greatly appreciated and we will always try to run any activity that has been suggested.

On one of the cycling trips to Glasson Dock from The Helm this summer.

                          

Confidence Boosting Course at York House in Morecambe

                                                               

For Moving Forward – Skills for Life Class
Friday 1pm till 3pm at York House  in Morecambe

"A Mind once stretched can never return to its original dimensions." 

 Oliver Wendell Holmes.

The value of a mind stretched is that you have far more options in there than you could imagine.

Soaking up knowledge from the world around us is something we take for granted.  What happens to it when we need to retrieve it – where has it gone?

Well it is always there in our mind, we just need to know how to access it.

Our classes on Moving Forward – Skills for Life show that each part of our lives is recorded and saved in our internal programming system (or as we know it, our brain) Therefore we have access to a wealth of inspirational data and useful tools to build, mend or adjust whatever is needed at the time.

Our skills for life may have become damaged or mislaid through our habit of collecting and storing lots of useless information or corrupted data, and we lose track of what it is we are hoping to achieve.

Well we have some great tools for you, delivered in a simple, direct and fun way, so that you are able to recognise the clutter and empty it out, leaving behind only those things that are useful.

The class covers issues such as Confidence to believe you can achieve.

Self Reliance to become more independent

Creative Thinking abilities to stretch it further

Memory and its value toward higher self esteem

Stepping out of your comfort zone and amazing yourself

Quitting bad habits and learning the truth about how they began

…..and much more.

Great fun, serious learning and a passport to success.

Creative Writing and Poetry Course

Creative Writing and Poetry on Wednesdays

 At York House in Morecambe 1pm till 3pm

 

"Logic will get you from A to B,

Imagination will get you everywhere."  

  Albert Einstein.

We are good at getting from A to B most of the time, and we do this in many areas of our life.

Here Einstein talks about logic, but what if logical thinking is something you cannot access.  If your logical processes are damaged through anxiety, depression, illness or trauma, all you have is the hope that someone else can give you guidance.

At Creative Support we are constantly challenged to use our imagination and find new or easier paths for people to travel.  And when those accessing our service realise they too can change direction, using their imagination, then we can look forward to finding many more ways to address problems of any size.  One way is by attending our Creative Writing classes.

Expression through verse or short stories, diary writing or regular columns in the newspaper if you have interesting things to say, can prove extremely beneficial to the writer as well as the reader.

Our classes are led by the students and supported by Creative Support staff with a keen interest in personal development for all.

The programme is rolling so that whenever you attend you will easily slip into a great discussion on many topics, and the opportunity to discover new ways to express your thoughts.

We welcome new starters and we look forward to many new discussions.

New sessions running from The Helm in Lancaster and York House in Morecambe as from 11th July

Monday

Advice and Guidance all day at The Helm 10.00am to 4.00pm

Leisure Activity The Helm

1.30pm till 4.00pm

Sport and Leisure activities, different each week

for example cycling and swimming. Suggestions welcome.

Tuesday

Art for Relaxation  11.00am till 12.30pm then 1.30pm to 3.30pm

A good opportunity to unleash creative talent through any medium you like, including painting, crafts or mixed media. We are working towards an exhibition displaying at

The Dukes Theatre for World Mental Health Day. We are also working towards other small projects for other local services.

Local Photography/Walk 2.00pm to 3.30pm

Local walks taking photographs of places of interest with a small group combined with light exercise and a drink in a café.  Bring your own camera if you have one!

Wednesday

Creative Writing and Poetry at York House in Morecambe  - 1.00pm to 3.00pm

All aspects of writing covered, from poetry and verse to short stories and beyond.  Photography and other mediums to stimulate the creative senses.  Trips to the library and around the town to elicit creative ideas.

Thursday

IT Support / Board Games 11.00am till 12.30am

Computer support available as well an opportunity to work through some basic computing skills through My Guide (Recognized Nationwide Computing Programme)

Service User Meeting 2.00pm till 2.30pm

A chance to come along and be involved in decisions made as to the running of the service and present ideas as to future progressions.  Also an opportunity to be up to date on current plans on the weekly schedule!

Quiz—2.30pm till 3.30pm

The weekly quiz always stirs a lot of excitement at The Helm.  Teams compete for the prize which is a free snack and drink from the café for each of the winning teams.

Friday

Baking Class 2.00pm till 3.00pm

Gentle cooking session baking pies or cakes and also making homemade lemonades and soft drinks to eat here or to take home.

Gentle Exercise Class 2.00pm till 3.30pm

Some gentle stretching exercises along to music to ease tension, keep fit and aid relaxation.  Also an opportunity to enjoy yourself and have fun.

Confidence and Relaxation at York House in Morecambe 1.00pm till 3.00pm

Ways to look at your skills and experiences and how to use them to have more options and make better choices.  Discussions that involve the group in offering ways to deal with everyday situations.  Simple but effective solutions to gaining confidence and raise your self esteem.

Please note all sessions are at The Helm in Lancaster apart from the two sessions in Morecambe at York House in Morecambe on wednesday and friday.

Contact Details

Creative Support
The Helm,
1st Floor,
Telephone House,
Lancaster LA1 1AB

thehelm.lancaster@creativesupport.org.uk

The Helm              01524 840521
Head Office          01612360829

Photography Sessions running from The Helm on Tuesdays at 2pm



 Artwork in the Storey Gallery





Tying a bit of knotwork at The Maritime Museum

 

An old fishing boat in the Maritime Museum



Old staircase in the Cottage Museum

  



Photographs taken on tuesday afternoons during our Photography/Walking sessions.

These are increasingly popular and we walk to local landmarks when weather is changeable otherwise go out into the countryside around Lancaster.

Market Stall to promote The Helm in Lancaster

On Wednesday 29th June we had a promotional stall in Lancaster Market. This included examples of the service and sessions that run at The Helm including a display on art, a mini exhibition of a service user's work, an example menu and craft items by people that were made for our recent craft fair.
It was a fruitful event and lots of members of the public came and talked to us as we were located just outside the library, it was a glorious day and a great opportunity to build awareness about what our service we can offer.
As a result of this we have had a number of new introductions into The Helm and have built some new links with other services and also people coming forward offering volunteering in different areas of expertise.
Many service users were present during the day to talk to passers by about the benefits of the service and how it has helped them. We are holding another stall in The Arndale Shopping Centre in Morecambe to promote there also and another in Asda later in the month.




 

IT Support Sessions

The IT sessions are aimed at helping those service users who have little or no experience of using computers and the internet and enabling them to gain more experience and confidence.
To do this we use a programme called MyGuide which is a learner guide.
It teaches user the basics of using a computer, how to search the internet, paying bills online and how to use social networking sites, also to qualify for a basic computing qualification. It follows a simple easy to read format that has audio options for those who struggle to read a screen. We also have various aids to enable service users who have dyslexia to use the computers. These include screen overlays and a magnifying tool to enlarge text on web pages.
The people who are currently enrolled on the programme have alll said they find it easy to use, simple to follow and they feel more confident in using the computer

These are run every Thursday morning from 11am. Feel free to drop by!

Gentle Exercise and Meditation Class

 Friday Afternoons 
 2.00pm at The Helm.

We have recently been running our first taster course of gentle exercise techniques and meditation along to music to ease tension, keep fit and to aid relaxation. It is a very enjoyable class and is along to music and guided by a tutor. A wonderful way to relax and unwind and also have a stretch and blow the cobwebs away.

Creative Writing and Poetry Sessions

York House in Morecambe
Wednesdays 1.00pm till 3.00pm

We have been running Creative Writing and Poetry Sessions at York House in Morecambe since the service began. The emphasis initially was on Poetry but currently we are four weeks in to a new set of sessions which combine the two.

The idea behind the approach towards the sessions having begun with the theme "Observation and Assumptions around people Watching"  includes walks around the facilities in Morecambe combined with a Photography session. This was based on how differently people see the world as individuals and the personal journey by observing people in public places.

The photographs are then used as a way of creating a stimulating discussion that prompt ideas to take us to the starting point into writing a short piece.






Lots of pictures were taken of the memorial to Eric Morecambe.

This is one that we thought was particularily interesting.




 This is a beautiful poem written by someone who attends the sessions written at the beginning of the year during the Poetry class. We started the session with a bag filled with random items and wrote about what memories were stirred by them. Paul got a string of black beads.



Earrings made for the Easter Craft Fair

Beads

by Paul Sanderson 

Your beads are the thing

For whatever you days

That we would together go

 Around your neck they hung

and matched your black number

that you occasionally wore

 For dressing up, no that's  

not kind of me, for you had 

 better things to do, i'm sure

  To remind me of than these

  non descript ivory, ok plasticated

  Cherry, yet somehow beautiful

   beads 

Art Sessions that run every Tuesday at The Helm

We run our Art Sessions every Tuesday with a break for lunch between the times of 11am till 1pm and 2pm till 4pm.

The sessions cover a large range of different topics and genres These include Painting, Textiles, Mixed Media, Small Woodwork Projects, Jewellery making, Photography and bringing back the lost art of Rag Rugging!

Different combinations of these sessions also work well together. An example of this is putting together a little booklet of people’s work during our poetry sessions and illustrating the poems with photographs that explain them to build up a lovely atmospheric feel.






Recycled jeans were then  turned  into beautiful wallets with felt decorations

 

We have also been making lots of different items to raise funds for materials and equipment for the centre and towards subsidising the cost of trips and mini bus hire.

Everybody enjoys the Art sessions a great deal it’s a wonderful opportunity to unleash creative talent, develop coping strategies through the relaxing sessions in a creative environment.

Our recent Easter Craft Fair was a fantastic event where we opened the doors to the general public providing a choice of homemade soups, beverages and cakes, entertainment for children for the day in the form of a puppet theatre and other activities. We also sold beautiful craft items made by people made by people who access The Helm.

People that regularily access The Helm played a large part in the planning and setting up of the event and worked on the stalls selling items we had made and it built up a wonderful sense of pride and achievement for a lot of people.

As well as making money for the service we also wanted to use the event as a vehicle to promote a further awareness of what we can offer, as we are the only Mental Health lifeline to so many people that can be easily accessed by the local community.

We held our Easter Craft Fair on the 16^th April 2011

We are still raising money totalling to date around £950 which is being used to fund further projects and a nice trip or two.

Our next step in Social Enterprise is to have a market stall in the centre of Lancaster selling Craft Items, Art work and Homemade food (most likely cakes as many service users have now done their food hygiene training)