Creative Writing Sessions on Fridays

Every Friday afternoon from 2 till 3.30pm, We run a Creative Writing Group. This is a popular session that has been running for approximately 4 years in it's current format.

The Session takes place in our comfortable lounge area and lasts for an hour and a half.

There is a theme to each session that is brainstormed by the group on a flipchart, often on a positive theme such as, Adventure, Mystery, Intuition and many others. We then write for around 45 minutes on each of the two topics that are based on the subject, reading out what each person has written in turn to the group. We discuss thoughts and ideas regarding each piece of writing before moving on to the next topic, which is a picture round. People taking part will choose a image that the relate to and we start the process again. It is a very creative and supportive class based on peer support and encouragement. A relaxing space to express your thoughts and feelings in a written form, a nice way of receiving feedback.

The following poem was written by Ian Stafford, who attends the group weekly. This piece was written during the session entitled Humour.

 

 

The Helm Carols & Buffet & Christmas Eve

Two local performers and previous volunteers at The Helm  alongside our resident musician Henry, performing well known carols as well as some Elton John Classics!

Excitement brewing in anticipation of the revealing of the buffet!

Jolly atmosphere in the kitchen!

There was plenty of food!

The lead up to Christmas can sometimes be a difficult time for people. We decided that instead of having our usual Christmas Craft Fair, we'd hold a carol concert and prepare a free seasonal buffet with some donations we've received over the year.

We hired a couple of community musicians known to The Helm, being previously volunteers for us, instead of a Father Christmas and encouraged a mass sing along.

It was very heart warming and was enjoyed by all.

We contacted people who hadn't accessed for a while to entice them back into The Helm for the party and make them feel included.

It was nice to see so many faces on the day.

A couple of days later we organised Christmas Dinner to be served on Christmas Eve from the café. Lots of people being without family or feeling isolated over the few days we were closed over the bank holidays came to celebrate at The Helm early.

The Cornerstone (another wonderful local charity with a café), provided a free Christmas dinner for people on Christmas Day who were most in need.               

                                                                        thecornerstonelancaster.org.uk 

Exciting Art Comission for The Harbour

 



Completed by Alan Robinson

Recently we’d been approached by a prestigious Artistic Director Pete Flowers. He runs a local Community Arts Resource in the local area.

Having attended our Art Exhibition last Autumn and being very impressed, he proposed to us that our Art Group work together with him to create a series of  large artworks over 10 weeks here at The Helm, incorporating 3 trips out to local maritime attractions as part of our research.

         Pete Flowers applied for funding through Arts & Healing which is part of the NHS for materials and transport. It will be then completed by the end of the year for the opening event in 2015 on the Fylde Coast for  one of the wards at the new state of the art mental health inpatient unit The Harbour outside Blackpool.

We are a few weeks into the project now and there has been great input from people here at The Helm. We have also visited the local Maritime Museum as part of our research on the maritime theme and tying them into Lancaster's  history.

 

  

Still in progress by John Kollar

  

Complete by Leanne Hough

  

In progress by Beki Melrose

 

Completed by Liz McAllister

 

Completed by Rosie Tacon Glass

Completed by Leslie Hunt

Completed by Ian Stafford

 

Unfinished by Anonymous



Group Projects being worked on currently

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Sessions running in November at The Helm



Monday

Volunteer  Run  Badminton Mental Health Group @ Salt Ayre 12.15am till 1.30pm

Come along to socialise a enjoy Badminton.  Small informal group.

Racquets provided but a small cost of £1.75 required towards court hire.

If you’re interested please ask for David.

 Crown Green Bowling 2.00pm till 3.30pm meet @ The Helm

Come try your hand at Crown Green Bowling where we’ll be learning new skills and techniques. Meet at The Helm to travel as a group to local pitch.

Ask David if you have any queries regarding this session.

Baking Session @ The Helm 2.00pm till 3.30pm

Gentle cooking session baking pies and cakes to take home for tea!

Small cost for ingredients payable on the day.

Limited places available so ask a member of staff for more information.

If you’re interested please ask a member of staff for more details

 

Tuesday
 

 Art for Relaxation @ The Helm 11.00am till 12.30am 

                                      also from  2.00pm till  3.30pm

A good opportunity to unleash your creative talent through any medium you like, including painting, crafts or mixed media.

We also work towards annual Helm events such as our Easter/Summer and Winter Craft fairs and Art  Exhibitions to raise awareness and reduce stigma.

If you’re interested please ask for Rosie or Beki

The Helm Ramblers meet @ The Helm 10.00am  return tba on day

Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month

Fancy a refreshing walking experience led by an experienced walking guide

in and around the local area/ district

For more information please ask David.

Volunteer Led Music Appreciation Group @ The Helm  2.30pm till 3.30pm

Come along and bring an instrument if you have one or use one of ours, sing or simply listen and enjoy.

All music considered so please bring suggestions to offer to the group.

 

Wednesday
 

Sewing for Fun @ The Helm 10.30am till 12.30am

Surprise yourself and create something new from materials donated to and generated by The Helm.

This friendly and informal group will help you build up your confidence

and work on a project at your own pace.

Professional input available from our skilled volunteers and friendly staff.

Options to help towards creating work to sell at our popular craft fairs also available. If you’re interested in this class please ask for Rosie.

 Women’s Group @ The Helm 12.00am till 1.00pm

An opportunity to get together with other ladies, relax and have a chat and cuppa

 

 Relaxation and Meditation @ The Helm 2.00pm till 3.00pm

An opportunity to take some time out to do some gentle stretching exercises, listen to a guided meditation along to music.

Come and join in and relieve your worries in this informal group.

Includes complimentary smoothie at the end of the session.

If you’re interested in this class please ask for Lawrence

 

Baking Session @ The Helm 2.00pm till 3.30pm

Gentle cooking session baking pies and cakes to take home for tea!

Small cost for ingredients payable on the day.
Limited places available so ask a member of staff for more information.
If you’re interested please ask a member of staff

 

Thursday

 

Helvellyn Hikers meet @ The Helm 10.00am

Only on last Thursday of every month

The aim of this group is to go to The Lake District, The How Gills or The Yorkshire Dales. Walks will be 8 miles or more, up hills and mountains.

Walking equipment such as boots, waterproofs and a rucksack essential

To book a limited place on this trip please ask to speak to David.

 Photography/Walking Session meet @ The Helm 11.00am till 1.30pm

Local walks combined with the opportunity for a café break.

Photography with ongoing IT support on digital imaging and editing as well as discussions on layout and short projects.

If you’re interested in this class please ask for Ruth

Weekly Service User Meeting @ The Helm 2.00pm till 2.30pm & Quiz 2.30pm till 3.30pm

An important opportunity to come along to voice and be involved in decisions made as to the running of the service and present ideas as to future progressions.

Also to be up to date on current plans on the weekly schedule. Free brew and cake for all attendees! The quiz always causes a lot of excitement.

It’s comprised of a general knowledge and picture round.

It is free and takes place in the comfy sofa area in the new extension.

The winning team has a complementary drink/biscuit from our café!

 

Friday

Confidence through Craft @ The Helm 11.00am till 12.30am

A chance to socialise and learn new skills through a variety of creative activities involving mixed media including card making, up cycled jewellery and many other mediums.

For more information ask for Jewli.

 

Baking Session @ The Helm 2.00pm till 3.30pm

Gentle cooking session baking pies and cakes to take home for tea!

Small cost for ingredients payable on the day.

Limited places available so ask a member of staff for more information.

If you’re interested please ask for Sue.

 

Creative Writing @ The Helm 2.30pm till 3.30pm

Inspired creative thoughts in poetry, verse and short written pieces,

discussion around ideas and a chance to talk about your writing in a small informal group.

If you’re interested in this class please ask for Rosie or Ruth
 

Activity and Wellbeing Group @ meet at The Helm 1.30pm till 3.30pm

An opportunity to get out and do some exercise! This course will involve Walking, Cycling, Swimming, Tennis and other more relaxing activities.

Ask Lawrence for further information on this session.

 

Art for Relaxation Sessions

Forever expanding and changing form, our Art for Relaxation is one of the most popular and accessible to anyone who is willing to give it a go. Confidence can be quickly gained from this class and incredible unrecognised ability in oneself can be very positive and rewarding.

 Being always well attended, we recently got permission to expand the Art Room into the Quiet Room to accommodate the growing numbers. Recently having acquired a whole relocated group from another service, there is a very keen and ambitious atmosphere, added to by a recent commission put to the group by a prestigious artist who has talent spotted us!

Always working towards the next exhibition or craft fair the group is forward thinking.

The group concentrates on the creative process as a therapeutic tool for re focussing and distracting from mental/physical distress. Peer support in the group is pivotal to the sharing of skills and implementation of ideas. Often the group is led by a service user with my support and rather than a course at College, we try to empower people to make their own decisions about what they’d like to do.

The Art for Relaxation Classes run weekly at The Helm on Tuesdays. The class runs over two sessions from 11.00am till 12.30am and after a break for lunch from 2.00pm till 3.30pm.

Sessions incorporating Volunteering and Skill building Opportunities

 

 

• •Baking Session
• •Art for Relaxation Session with support from our Artist in Residence
• •Creative Writing Session
• •Sewing Session
• •Crown Green Bowling Group
• •Helm Ramblers & Helvellyn Hikers Walking Groups
• •Volunteer Led Badminton Group
• •Young Women’s Group
• •Relaxation and Meditation Session
• •Volunteer Led Music Appreciation Group
• •Photography Session
• •Fitness and Wellbeing Group/ Biking Group
• •Music Group run by a Volunteer
• •Volunteering in the Café / Cooking
• •Helping with daily tasks around the centre
• •Volunteer Led Confidence through Craft
• Weekly facilitation of the Service User Meeting
• Contribution towards Creative Support Newsletter/ Magazine
•  Working towards events, craft fairs, promoting the service
• Flexibility tailored towards individual need and as a whole
• Assistance in communicating with other services
• Online Computer training skills, IT Support
• Form Filling Skills
• Peer Support towards newcomers
• Showing Visitors around
• Social Enterprise
• Promotional Work/Raising Awareness
• Running Sessions with Sessional workers
• Feeling Empowered and confident for change.

 

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•We support people with mild to moderate through to severe and enduring mental health issues (includes people recently discharged from hospital)

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•Anyone can access the service who feels they are at risk of social isolation.

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•The café is open access to the public however we suggest registering to anyone who requests further assistance or expresses an interest in sessions.

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•People may self refer or be referred through their doctor and any other service.

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•Available to anyone over the age of 16

      ( this has been found to be particularly beneficial to the elderly as there is little provision for this age group readily available in our area)