Inkwell Creative Minds is a community arts project run by the Leeds branch of the mental health charity Mind in collaboration with Touchstone, another Leeds-based mental health organisation. The project caters for people in the Chapeltown and Harehills area of Leeds and provides classes in art and craft. When I passed by there were posters in the windows for a life drawing class. The idea behind these classes is to benefit the mental health of students through encouraging creative expression. There is strong evidence to suggest that expressing emotions and feelings through a piece of art can have positive benefits for someone with mental health problems. I must admit to never having used the services here, as I have thus far been lucky enough to have never experienced mental health problems, though a friend of mine who has suffered from mental health problems found painting and drawing to be very cathartic and helped his recovery. The Inkwell project seems to promote a very positive approach to mental health issues and caters for a wide range of people with symptoms of varying severity. read more

Inkwell Creative Minds - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - Leeds, XWY

Lovely place, great ideas and course and lovely food, been meaning to volunteer here, will manage it one day I hope!

Inkwell is open to everyone in the community on Thursdays from 3-5 for the craft cafe, where you can partake in crafts such as pottery, jewellery, batik and work with textiles, as well as a nice cuppa and a slice of cake. There is a charge of £3 per person to cover costs of materials. We are also open to all the community between 10.30 and 4 on Saturdays. If you hope to come along around holiday times, please ring first to check that we'll be open around those times. People of all abilities can join in - in fact, most people try and learn something new. Children and young people are welcome. There are also great evening open mic events with real ale, and a secret cinema in the evenings. Inkwell mainly helps people through craft activities - so it isn't able to meet all of people's mental health needs, for which there are other services. There are a range of other activities throughout the week such as art classes that are particularly targeted at people with mental health needs - these would need referral from a medical professional. Inkwell also runs two major events a year - the May Day Fayre, and bonfire night that is very popular with the local community in Chapel Allerton and Chapeltown. There is also the opportunity to get involved in the allotments and garden, or as a volunteer. Volunteers are rewarded with special events and training. I started out by using Inkwell's service, and went on to become a volunteer. Inkwell is a part of Leeds Mind. read more

It's well known that being creative is helpful to every body (and Mind). Inkwell activities are just that - helpful for people achieving fun, a sense of satisfaction, making a statement and well, just growing, healing and keeping healthy. The thing is to get yourself through the door and say hello. read more