The Refresh Project by Articulate Cultural Trust
Articulate Cultural Trust was awarded a £2,000 organisational grant in April 2023. The grant contributed to the Refresh project: a long-term well-being project offering communal self-care experiences via therapeutic and educational workshops held bi-weekly for individuals aged 15 to 25. Founded in September 2022, Refresh has become a fully youth-led initiative and is currently overseen by Emerging Artist in Residence, Ezra Berrnico, who has lived experience of care.
The aims of the project were:
1. To establish Refresh as a secure, inclusive, and youth-led programme of events that improves well-being through the arts and culture for care experienced young people.
2. To provide trauma-informed mental health support that understands the complex nature of growing up in care and can elevate the pressure on long waitlists for NHS and CAMHS.
3. To integrate Refresh as a well-being service that actively engages in research to understand and disseminate optimal strategies for assisting and empowering young individuals in navigating the challenges posed by the current mental health crisis and cost of living pressures combined.
There were a number of activities as part of Refresh including printmaking with artist Georgina Hickey, pottery with artist Niamh MacKaveney at the Art Space G41, creative writing and creative cooking. Lead artist Georgina Hickey said:
“I thought the workshops went really well. I found the main focus to be spending a creative evening together, with learning a new skill secondary and I can see how this less-pressured atmosphere really benefits the well-being of the participants. Nevertheless, the standard of prints that were produced were very high and it’s easy to see that the whole group is very creative! There is a warm, welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in Articulate and I could see how it inspired the group to express themselves through conversation and also through the activity.”
In addition to these activity sessions, Refresh also provided Person Centered Counselling for 8 care-experienced young people over a 15-month period. This trauma-informed approach to counselling provided an important service and bridged a gap created by NHS and CAMHS waiting lists.
“Knowing I have access to someone to speak to about how I’ve been feeling, it makes just each day feel that bit easier.”
Refresh Participant
Mood Yoga also provided an opportunity for Refresh participants to relax and unwind. Yoga sessions helped to alleviate physical ailments and pain due to lived experience of trauma and consequential poor mental health. The yoga offering also provided well-being tools to support improved self-regulation and intrapersonal relationships
Refresh participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback about their time on the project. Many of the young people supported by Articulate Cultural Trust struggle with the aftermath of growing up in care, coupled with childhood trauma, a deficit of family support and guidance. Young people shared that the Articulate studio feels inviting, safe, and friendly; providing human essentials such as trusted support, reciprocal friendship, food, warmth, purpose, and creative engagement.
Trefoil is proud to have supported the work of Articulate Cultural Trust and their Refresh project. Similar organisations can apply for an organisational grant here.