An art exhibition showing art created by children and young people who use local mental health services will take place later this month.
The “My Voice Matters” Exhibition, showcasing art by the children and young people from Mindworks Surrey’s STARS and New Leaf services opens at 2pm on the 27 August and runs until 6 September 2024 at The Horton Arts Centre, Haven Way, Epsom. The exhibition is free to enter and showcases artwork by both young people and their parents/carers and staff.
The STARS and New Leaf services are part of Mindworks Surrey, the local NHS provider of emotional wellbeing and mental health services for young people. Mindworks is led by our Trust, in partnership with other NHS and third sector providers. The STARS service supports children and young people who have been affected by sexual abuse and assault. The New Leaf Service supports children and young people who are in care, leaving care, adopted or under special guardianship orders.
The children and young people and their carers who use STARS and New Leaf were invited to create art relating to the theme of ‘My Voice Matters’. This is linked to Children’s Mental Health Week earlier this year, which had the same theme.
Emina Atic-Lee, Service Manager for STARS and New Leaf services, said: "Last year’s exhibition received the most incredible feedback from young people, their carers and families, as well as the members of the local community who visited. We are really pleased to be able to put on another exhibition this year.
"Creating the art encourages children and young people to think about how their voice matters and think about ways they can express themselves through art."
Rebecca Robertson works as a Specialist Mental Health Therapist within the STARS service and is also a qualified Art Therapist. She explained: "Being able to express yourself through art can be a therapeutic experience for some but can also during the process release traumatic thoughts, experiences, and feelings. It’s not just the finished image, which is useful, but also the process of creating it."
One of the images being displayed at the exhibition is named Flowers and the young person who created the painting said: "I feel satisfied when I do art. It is simple."
The My Voice Matters Art Exhibition runs from 2pm on the 27 August and runs until 6 September 2024, 9:15am – 4:30pm from Tuesday - Saturdays and till 11pm on the first Friday of every month.
The address is: Horton Arts Centre, The Horton, Haven Way Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8NP. Sat Nav: Haven Way, KT19 7HA.
You can read more about the art exhibition on The Horton website.
You can read more information about the STARS and New Leaf services on the MindWorks Surrey website.