A FREE social prescribing opportunity for Keighley residents.
Arts for Brain Health is one of Keighley Creative’s core programmes. We run creative sessions especially designed for people who are looking for ways to manage challenging times in their lives such as health or mental health conditions, visible and invisible disabilities, feelings of loneliness and isolation, feeling stressed or overwhelmed, or just wanting a bit of space to relax and switch off.
We run different weekly workshops encouraging attendees to get creative, improve their brain health and have fun! All the sessions are free, you don’t need any experience, you don’t need to think of yourself as ‘arty’, but it’s fine if you do.
Why Arts for Brain Health?
Our brains are amazing. They are made up of around 86 billion nerve cells, and there are literally trillions of connections between these nerve cells which are constantly sending and receiving chemical and electrical messages. These messages control everything we do, helping us to think, feel, move, plan, learn, see, hear, smell, and solve problems, they affect our moods, our emotions, levels of energy, motivation and much, much more. The more we stimulate
our brains, the more nerve connections we make and the better our brains work. Making art is fun but it’s also a workout for our brains!
The principles of the Arts for Brain Health programme:
- We offer a safe space so that everyone can feel comfortable and relaxed.
- Focusing on art means being in the here and now, in the moment, helping people to put aside things that might be worrying or preoccupying them.
- We believe that imagination allows for everyone to take part, there are no wrong ways to do things. It’s just for fun.
- Creativity is central to everything we do in the groups. Being creative can help us to relax, focus and become absorbed, it encourages learning, curiosity, imagination, social interaction and humour.
- Everyone can work at their own pace.
- We work in a person-centred, non-judgemental way, treating everyone with respect and valuing everybody’s contribution.
- Being in a group which meets regularly helps people to get into a routine and connect with other people. The groups are always on at the same time every week.
- We work to identify and overcome barriers that prevent people attending the group or taking part fully. This may be practical such as how comfortable the chairs are, or it might address less visible disabilities such as anxiety or sensory overload.
- We hold regular exhibitions and celebration of the artwork made in the groups, displaying the work to a high, professional standard. This connects the groups with the community, increases visibility and challenges stereotypes.
- Sessions are facilitated by experienced artists and we provide materials and support so that everyone can fully enjoy their time in the session.
This is the first time I’ve done anything arty! It’s fun, and great to do something different. I’ve enjoyed it all!
Monday Creative Participant
Monday Creative
Mondays, 1.30pm till 3.30pm
The Monday Creative group is a FREE social prescribing opportunity for Keighley residents and their carers, who are living with dementia and other long term neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease.
Monday Creative is a great place to come and have a go at something creative, and meet new people. We run sessions face-to-face in The Orange Room at Keighley Creative, and online over Zoom for when people can’t get out. The group is friendly and welcoming to all, and new members are always welcome. We explore lots of different activities, including painting, felting, printmaking and clay work. We look at art and photographs together and we share stories.
Monday Creative is designed with the needs of people living with all stages and types of dementia and long term neurological conditions in mind, and the needs of the people who are caring for them. We have spouses, children, professional carers, friends and family members who stay and get involved.
This is a kind, caring, fun and stimulating learning environment in the heart of Keighley. Read on if you would like more information about how you can get involved or contact Ailsa to book an introductory meeting by calling 07423 154855 or emailing ailsa@keighleycreative.org.
Wednesday Creative
Wednesdays, 10.30am till 12.30pm
Creative Wednesday workshops are here and focused on wellbeing by welcoming anyone who may be feeling low or experiencing loneliness or social isolation.
These warm and friendly sessions offer a great opportunity to meet new people and get creative.
There is NO CHARGE for these workshops.
These are a drop-in events that will run ongoing where you can come on a Wednesday at any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm on an ad-hoc basis. No need to book!
For more information please contact Ailsa by calling or texting 07423 154855 or emailing ailsa@keighleycreative.org.
Meet the Team
Monday Group is run by Ailsa Lewer and Carine Brosse, with support from Gemma Hobbs and Naseem Darbey. Everyone on the team loves art and people! Between them all they are thinkers, makers, researchers, artists, therapists and carers. And they are all interested in the benefits that making and talking about art can offer us when it comes to our brain health and wellbeing.
Ailsa Lewer
Hello, I’m Ailsa, and I run Arts for Brain Health at Keighley Creative. You can ask me anything about it; no question is too big or small!
I am art therapist trained, and my interests and artwork focus on the body and brain health. I design and run creative workshops using visual arts, imaginative story-making whilst working alongside museum and gallery spaces and collections.
I also deliver training for organisations across Cumbria and Craven, including Cumbrian Museums Consortium, Skipton, Settle and Ripon museums and the National Trust.
Ailsa Lewer, Research Lead: Arts for Brain Health Programme
Carine Brosse
Hello, I’m Carine, a multidisciplinary artist, working in Yorkshire for organisations including Pioneer Projects, Space2 Leeds and Grassington Festival.
I run workshops for people of all ages, and have lots of experience helping people to find their creative direction and have fun doing it!
I also run the Wishbone Gallery in Grassington and curate exhibitions and events.
I’ve collaborated with Ailsa for over seven years, so you will be in safe hands with us.
Carine Brosse, Creative Lead: Arts for Brain Health Programme
How can you get involved?
You can ring or text Ailsa on 07423 154855
or email: Ailsa@keighleycreative.org
The Arts for Brain Health workshops are run every week. Please contact Ailsa for more information. Thank you for your interest.
