News & Insights

I have recently returned from a trip to Butabika Hospital for the “mentally ill”, not far from Kampala in Uganda. The trip was part of a project set up by Sharing Stories – in layman’s terms, a small group of UK & Ugandan psychologists and mental health service users dedicated to improving well-being for people experiencing and working with mental health issues. The idea is that both countries are on an equal footing, neither is more important or knowledgeable than the other, but both have lots to give and learn.

I know, I feel and I see that what Odd Arts does – works. It changes people’s way of thinking and seeing the world; it opens up new opportunities through self-belief and realisation of personal ability; it empowers people to find ways to challenge the things or people that harm us. Proving this is another matter.  Of course, we should have to prove we make a difference. There is ever growing scepticism of charity morals and we are at a time of national austerity – proving our impact is necessary and right.