Odd Arts specialise in delivering work around mental health, as well as the wider health sector. We work in partnership with Mental Health Services, GPs, Clinical Commissioning Groups and Hospitals using theatre to improve mental health and wellbeing and to reduce conflict and inequalities.
We have also developed many collaborations exploring diversity and inclusion within the health sector. Many of our workshops and projects we deliver with health professionals aim to address some of the systemic challenges and barriers they face, using theatre to explore solutions. Examples of these challenges include: Lack of representation from minoritised groups within service staffing; burn-out and stress; professional and service-user/patient conflict or communication issues.
We are also part of a groundbreaking project called Sharing Stories, which is a collection of UK & Ugandan mental health service users and professionals dedicated to improving well-being for people experiencing and working with mental health issues and reducing stigma. All members are equal with much to give and learn. This project was an opportunity to develop the connections between arts and health and illustrate how forum can be used as a tool to support change in other sectors.
Check out this blog that logs the exciting programme Odd Arts delivered with Sharing Stories in Uganda, 2018. This short film documents how we deliver our programme, as well as the impact on participants.
This short spoken word film was written and performed by Lindsey, one of our beneficiaries who wanted to challenge invisible disability stigma.
The above film shows an example of an award winning project where we worked with a group of young people to create a short film and accompanying lesson plan exploring mental health challenges and overcoming stigma. The content was lead and developed by the young people (all with lived experience of mental health challenges). This project won the ‘Contributions to the community award’ at the North West boroughs healthcare NHS foundation Trust awards.
Odd Arts deliver a wide range of work to raise awareness of many issues which we feel are most relevant to the partners we are working with. We can tailor and adapt our workshops to fit the needs and requirements of the participants. Please click on one of the links below to find out more about the work we do in other sectors.
Become A Participant
You can self-refer to some of our ongoing community projects and sessions.
We deliver FREE workshops at our base in Moss Side Powerhouse. We welcome and support young carers, and participants with additional needs.