“Anxiety got such a tight grip on me, I just couldn’t see a future. My life felt like a blank canvas and I had no idea where to start.”
Canvas to Change for 16-25yrs old
Who's it for?
Young people 16-25yrs old with mental health difficulties who are struggling to assert themselves into adulthood.
What will I learn?
You will learn a huge range of creative techniques that will build your skills and confidence to express yourself.
How big is the group?
We limit group size to max.12 people so we can provide a calm and productive atmosphere.
Canvas to Change offers you:
- Weekly 2hr workshops – you will learn painting, digital art, photography, sculpture, filmmaking, textiles, arts & crafts in an environment that feels like an art college. If you would like to study art at College or University we will help you build a winning portfolio
- Art ideas combined with mental health techniques – it’s a powerful combination that will help you become more self-aware and manage stress and anxiety more effectively
- Specialist workshops – we will introduce you to creative professionals in graphic design, community arts, illustration so you can gain a better understanding of career paths
- Social activities – facilitated by our young Peer Support Worker, you will try other activities such as yoga, rock climbing, zumba, ice skating that will help you build meaningful friendships with group members that can last a lifetime
- 1:1 mental health coaching – will help you reframe challenging life experiences that might otherwise affect your long-term physical and mental health
- 1:1 progression support – will help you resolve practical issues and move closer to employment or further education
Referrals by Parents or Professionals
We appreciate you supporting young people to sign up through our What’s On page but we would like them to register with their own details so we know it is their idea and what they truly want.
After registering, we will call young people directly to introduce ourselves and find out more about what they are looking for, their creative and personal ambitions.
We talk them through our creative approach and current art project, and how we will support them through coaching&mentoring to map their own way forward.
If the young person is nervous about attending alone for the first time, a parent, carer, or health professional is welcome to accompany them, but we need to know in advance to minimise disruption to the group.
We require 16-18yr olds to attend an induction accompanied by their parents/guardians so we can clarify safeguarding and travel arrangements.
Meet Liah
Liah attended Arty-Folks in 2023 when she was 19 years old and then progressed to studying Games Design at University. She was our Artist in Residence summer ’24, sharing her creative skills with our members.
“I learnt there is no short-cut but with a bit of support you will definitely see light at the end of the tunnel.”
Unseen Stories – our first publication!
Nine young people 18-25years old, chart the remarkable journey to recovery in words and images in Unseen Stories, a beautifully illustrated book available on Amazon for £14.50.
This group of young people attended in 2019. Through their artwork they explored personal experiences that had thrown them off course and unhelpful life patterns that were holding their dreams hostage.
The book was launched on 10th October 2019 to mark World Mental Health Day, highlighting that a life is lost to mental ill health every 40 seconds.
Read more personal accounts of our members journey towards recovery.
Parenting and Self-Care
We encourage parents and carers to prioritize their own mental health too. Join our free 3-week introduction to Arty-Folks studios in Coventry and take time to focus on your wellbeing.
“Worrying about the safety of my child became relentless! The ‘what ifs’ took over my life and affected the whole family. Arty-Folks became my sanctuary—a space to focus on my art and give myself a break.”
— Mother of a 17-year-old
The long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are still being felt, particularly in the social development of young people. Many are now facing adulthood feeling lost, overwhelmed, and unsure how to give their lives direction. Social anxiety remains a leading cause for school absences and difficulties in coping with studies.
