Celebrating 25 years
of enhancing wellbeing through the power of creativity
Prospectus 2015 - 2016
about us
CoolTan Arts is a multi-award winning arts and mental health organisation. This year we are celebrating 25 years of disability-led and innovative creative arts. We believe mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. CoolTan Arts began as a 100% volunteer led project, taking our name from the Cooltan suntan lotion factory in Brixton where our studios were originally based. Today we run a vibrant community arts centre in Walworth Road, Southwark, offering creative workshops, self-advocacy, cultural walks, a public art gallery and a volunteering and training programme.
There’s something for everyone at CoolTan Arts. We empower people to express themselves creatively, reconnect with their aspirations and stay well. CoolTan is run by and for adults with experience of mental distress
Learn about CoolTan’s history: www.cooltanarts. org.uk/about-us
what we offer
workshop programme
Are you interested in exploring your creative side and improving your wellbeing in a fun, supportive environment? By joining a CoolTan workshop you can meet like-minded people, learn something new, have fun, go on outings and get your work exhibited! We teach a broad range of creative and practical subjects, including visual arts, cooking, video and much more; there is sure to be something that you would enjoy!
Our workshops are small and friendly, and offer professional tuition in an inspiring, non-judgemental environment Workshops are available to adults 18+ with experience of mental distress (self-defined). Some are FREE to access, for others there is a fee. Prices are either £60 for a full day or range from £5 to £50 per session. We accept a range of payment options, including Personal Budgets, Direct Payments or by private fees. If you are in touch with a Community Mental Health Team or Care Coordinator, ask them to refer you to CoolTan – or if not, contact us directly.
free!
some workshops are free to attend! call 020 7701 2696 to find out more
CoolTan Arts won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in June 2014.
volunteering programme
what we offer
CoolTan has helped me through a difficult time in my life of unemployment. Being able to volunteer has helped me stay well
CoolTan offer supported volunteering that can help you gain skills and confidence, share knowledge and experience, help others and make friends. We have a wide range of opportunities for volunteers – from helping our reception team, to assisting in workshops, graphic design, walk leading, cooking or helping at our events and exhibitions. These are just a few examples of the different ways you can get involved! We are sure to be able to find you something that you enjoy, that will really make a difference. All this, plus regular free accredited training. CoolTan Arts particularly welcomes disabled volunteers and those with lived experience of mental distress.
details:
a place find out more or book n tio uc ind r tee lun on a vo volunteering@cooltanarts.org.uk or call 020 7701 2696
Benefits for all volunteers:
• Travel expenses up to £4.40 day • Opportunity to develop and use meaningful skills in a structured role • Training opportunities available • Opportunity to get useful work experience and obtain a reference • Safe and supportive environment
Self Advocacy helped me learn what I needed to know to appeal and win against ATOS
self advocacy training Have you experienced mental distress? Used mental health services? Not been listened to? CoolTan Arts’ Self Advocacy Training is a FREE series of classes and talks for people who experience mental distress to learn to self advocate. All sessions are free for everyone regardless of a Personal Budget.
Self Advocacy won the prestigious Best Practice Award in Peer Support Development from the Mental Health Provider’s Forum in July 2013
wellbeing service CoolTan offer an innovative Wellbeing Advisory Service. This new support programme is available for GP surgeries & corporate organisations. Our advisors provide clients with a holistic review of their wellbeing and information on free support services available.
Our award winning programme teaches you the skills you need to have a stronger voice in situations where you previously weren’t listened to, were discriminated against or found barriers stopping you from accessing information or services. We provide an informal but structured environment where you can meet others with similar experiences and together learn strategies to cope with challenging issues, behaviours or situations, and learn how to improve your general wellbeing. Self Advocacy is delivered by skilled in-house trainers and external specialists in subjects such as: • Self-esteem training • Understanding the Mental Health Act and your rights • Stress management • Care plans / advance directives • Coping with Panic Attacks • Understanding how Medicines Work
details:
if you would like to take part email selfadvocacy@cooltanarts.org.uk or wellbeing@cooltanarts.org.uk or call 020 7701 2696
walks & events Are you interested in London’s history?
Would you like to get some exercise and meet new people? Join our fun guided walks for mental and physical wellbeing.
largactyl shuffle The ‘Largactyl Shuffle’ is the original mental health psychogeographic London walk! Run by and for people with mental distress this fun guided walk shares the hidden stories of mental health, activism, history, art and culture through unique talks and performance. In 2016 we will have been running for 10 years! The Largactyl Shuffle is named after the oldest antipsychotic drug, Largactil, which has physical side effects including a distinctive shambolic gait, or ‘shuffling’. Walks happen on the third Saturday of each month. Each walk explores a different theme. The route is suitable for people of all abilities including wheelchair users and covers a distance of approx. 4.8 miles.
coolwalks CoolTan Arts run regular ‘CoolWalks’ in partnership with Southwark libraries and Southwark Public Health. These walks for mental and physical wellbeing encourage everyone to walk and explore Southwark, to learn new things, take notice, get fit and to have fun. There are 12 themed unique walks in the series each starting one of the borough’s libraries. The walks focus on Southwark’s varied history, architecture and the stories and contributions of its fascinating residents.
cool se1 walks New this year our monthly ‘Cool SE1’ walks focus on the stories and people of Bermondsey. Join us to explore this vibrant neighbourhood as we journey in the footsteps of Saxon kings & queens, Charles Dickens, Ada Salter and take in the glamour of the historic music halls and theatres.
sponsored walk Our annual Sponsored Walk is our biggest public event and raises both our profile and funds. A chance for everyone to contribute, celebrate and support CoolTan. Please join us on these dates: •2015 Sponsored Walk 10th October •2016 Sponsored Walk 15th October
public events CoolTan also regularly exhibitions, public art hold art projects, fashion shows, pa screenings, in variousrties and film Lo For more info on any ndon venues. of the please see our websiteabove, www.cooltanarts.org.u : k
work s
CoolTan’s workshops take place in CoolTan run workshops in many subjects throughout the year. Our timetable is subject to change. Some workshops are free, others range from £5 to £50 per session.
Self Advocacy Training
This series of classes and talks are for people who experience mental distress to learn how to self-advocate.
Art
Express your creativity and make your own finished art work. Work with acrylic, pastels, watercolour, collage, pencil and charcoal.
Film
Learn filmmaking and gain editing skills in Final Cut Pro. Use some of the latest cameras and mics to create your own finished piece.
CoolTan Cooking Club
Learn how to make tasty meals good for mental and physical health.
Knitting
Knit for mental health and wellness by joining our free knitting workshop
Walk Planning Largactyl Shuffle
Help research and plan a guided historical walk for the public.
Creative Writing
Explore techniques, find inspiration, join a network of writing friends that can offer support, advice and a fresh approach to writing.
Women Make Art
Create original artworks in an all female environment. You will have the opportunity to develop your own style and to exhibit finished work if you wish.
Our building is accessible for wheelchair users
k shops e in our fully equipped arts centre
For info on the current timetable and pricing please get in touch. Bespoke classes for groups and one-to-one packages are also available. Poetry
Read and explore poetry, from epics to nonsense verse and develop your poetry writing skills with a range of new exercises each week.
Photoshop
Edit and retouch your photography. Learn how to cut out and combine images to create collages, posters and artworks.
WordPress
Website design - learn the basics of this popular free blogging programme, make your own site and create content, pages and posts.
Basic IT
A special one-to-one session. Learn more about using computers, gain confidence with internet, Microsoft Word, social media or graphic design.
Magazine Group
Help produce CoolTan’s magazine, learn about journalism, layout, design and digital publishing.
Painting & Drawing
Improve your drawing and painting skills, develop your creative style and create your own original artworks.
Textiles
Learn how to make your own piece of clothing. Gain skills in pattern cutting, batik, embroidery and beading.
Jewellery Making
Create stylish broaches, earrings, necklaces and bracelets in this creative session.
details:
for more workshop ail information, please em .uk s.org nart olta @co info or call 020 7701 2696
free!
CoolTan Ar ts events for are ALL free and open ever yone to attend
calendar
September 2015 4 CoolSE1 Walks 12 CoolWalks: Myths & Legends 15 Annual General Meeting 19 Largactyl Shuffle: Black Heritage Walk 23 Geriatric Punks Open Day 24 CoolWalks: Myths & Legends Walk
2015-2016
TBC 12:20 PM - 2:30 PM 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
October 2015
1 Open Day & WMHD Black Music Exhibition 12:30 AM - 7:00 PM 3 CoolSE1 Walks TBC 10 Music for Mental Health Sponsored Walk 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM 15 Spem in Alium, Brandenburg Choral Festival 9:30 PM - 10:30 PM 21 Affordable Art Fair, Battersea 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM 24 CoolWalks: Freedom Walk 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM 29 CoolWalks: Freedom Walk 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
November 2015
6 CoolSE1 Walks 14 CoolWalks: War in Walworth Walk 18 Open Day & Men’s Day 21 Largactyl Shuffle: Mysteries Walk 26 CoolWalks: War in Walworth Walk
December 2015
5 CoolWalks: Regeneration Walk 8 Open Day 12 CoolSE1 Walks 17 CoolWalks: Regeneration Walk 18 Christmas Party 19 Largactyl Shuffle: Urban Landscape Walk
Bermondsey Tube Nunhead Library CoolTan Arts Maudsley Hospital CoolTan Arts Nunhead Library CoolTan Arts Elephant & Castle Tube Maudsley Hospital St Martin’s in the Fields Battersea Park Camberwell Library Camberwell Library
TBC 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
London Bridge Tube Newington Library CoolTan Arts Maudsley Hospital Newington Library
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM TBC 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM 11:45: AM - 4:00 PM
East Street Library CoolTan Arts Borough Tube Station East Street Library CoolTan Arts Tate Modern
We will be closed from Saturday 19 December 2015 and reopen Monday 4 January 2016
January 2016
9 CoolSE1 Walks 16 Largactyl Shuffle: Barking Mad Walk 21 Open Day
TBC 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Bermondsey Tube Maudsley Hospital CoolTan Arts
February 2016 6 CoolSE1 Walks 12 Open Day
20 Largactyl Shuffle: LGBT History Walk
March 2016
3 Women’s Day Event & Exhibition 4 CoolSE1 Walks 9 Affordable Art Fair, Battersea 19 Largactyl Shuffle: Revolutionary Women 24 Open Day
April 2016 1 CoolSE1 Walks
16 Largactyl Shuffle: Industrial Walk 21 Open Day
May 2016
7 CoolSE1 Walks 18 Open Day 21 Largactyl Shuffle: Pagan Walk
June 2016
3 CoolSE1 Walks 11 Mad Hatters’ Tea Party 18 Largactyl Shuffle: Midnight Walk (10th Year) 15 Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead 22 Open Day
July 2016
2 CoolSE1 Walks 16 Largactyl Shuffle: SunTan Walk 20 CoolTan 25th Birthday Party
22 CoolSE1 Walks
August 2016 10 Open Day
15 Kew Gardens Trip 20 Largactyl Shuffle: Victorian Parks Walk
TBC 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Elephant & Castle Tube CoolTan Arts Camberwell Green
1:00 PM - 9:00 PM TBC 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
CoolTan Arts London Bridge Tube Battersea Park Maudsley Hospital CoolTan Arts
TBC 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Borough Tube Station Tate Modern CoolTan Arts
TBC 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Bermondsey Tube CoolTan Arts Tate Modern
TBC 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM 11:45 PM - 5:00 AM 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Elephant & Castle Tube CoolTan Arts Tate Modern Hampstead Heath CoolTan Arts
TBC 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM TBC
London Bridge Tube Maudsley Hospital Venue TBC Borough Tube Station
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM
CoolTan Arts Kew Gardens Maudsley Hospital
SAVE THE DATE: CoolTan Arts AGM - 20th September 2016 CoolTan Arts Sponsored Walk - 15th October 2016
our impact CoolTan Arts provides a vital service and transforms people’s lives. We enable people to develop their potential, reconnect with their aspirations, recover and enjoy life!
In the last year we worked face-to-face with 2288 people across London and reached out to 9 million more. 88% of our participants say that attending CoolTan keeps them well and out of hospital. One third of our participants and volunteers move on to employment, education or training.
participant quotes “CoolTan Arts has helped me regain my sense of identity and encouraged my talent. The difference is that here, sessions are run by professionals. I am now planning to go back to Art College to finish my degree.” “CoolTan has given me purpose. If you have purpose, then you have meaning. And if you have meaning, recovery is not only possible, but probable.” “I’m really learning a lot, getting on with people in a job atmosphere, it makes me feel positive and like I’m being useful. I feel like I’m working. And I learn new things.’’
I’ve come a long way in 5 years, from the first time I had to gather my courage, pick up the phone and say ‘CoolTan Arts, can I help?’ I don’t remember if I helped the person on the phone – but CoolTan certainly helped me.
support us Help CoolTan to continue to provide support by making a donation. Online: www.justgiving.com/cooltanarts Post: CoolTan Arts, Third Floor, 224-236 Walworth Road, SE17 1JE.
£5
£10
£20
£100
Covers the cost of a volunteer’s travel expenses for more than one day. Volunteering is absolutely vital to CoolTan and provides a space to learn transferable skills in a supportive environment.
Enables us to purchase art materials for 10 participants to take part in our creative arts workshops for 3 weeks.
Supplies CoolTan’s Cooking Club with ingredients for 4 participants. This will enable participants to learn more about nutrition and healthy eating and take home a warm meal.
Provides 2 hours of specialised training for a group of 10 participants to gain the knowledge necessary to assert their rights in the mental health system.
ways to help details:
for a fundraising pack pack, please email info@cooltanarts.org.uk or call 020 7701 2696
There are several other great ways you could help CoolTan raise money. Have a look at some of our suggestions below for fundraising ideas or devise your own!
Sports Challenge. Challenge yourself
and raise funds for CoolTan Arts at the same time! Walk, cycle, run or swim your way to fitness! Whether it’s a 5km walk or swimming the length of the Channel in your local pool, your challenge will help us to continue to support people.
Test Your Willpower. Could you give something up for a week or a month? Could you quit cakes or crisps or give up your mobile? A week or a month seems a bit too long? How about a ‘bite-sized’ 24 hour challenge!
Fundraising Sale. Love baking? Why
not hold a bake sale at your place of work or invite friends round to indulge in some cake therapy. Overloaded by clutter? Purge your wardrobe/garage/home by organizing a sale of your unwanted items.
Sell Your Skills. If you have a hidden talent, don’t be shy about it! Whether you’re an enthusiastic gardener, can iron immaculately, paint perfectly polished nails or you’re a whiz at window cleaning, use the opportunity to flaunt your skills!
CoolTrade Support CoolTan and do your shopping from CoolTrade!
Our products are made from original artworks, beautifully designed by CoolTan participants and produced to a very high quality.
details:
to view all products & purchase please visit our online shop www.cooltanarts.org.uk/shop or call 020 7701 2696
Food for Mood Cookbook £9.99 + p&p
Fairy Bag £10.00 + p&p
Teatowels £10.00 + p&p
partners CoolTan Arts would like to thank all our partners for their kind support
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Third Floor, 224-236 Walworth Road, London, SE17 1JE. T: 020 7701 2696 M: 0798 565 8443 E: info@cooltanarts.org.uk T: @cooltan4 F: cooltanarts Tubes: Elephant & Castle or Kennington, both a 10 minute walk. Buses: 12, 40, 68, 148, 171, 176, 35, 45, P5, 68, 468.
With thanks to our funders for their kind support
CoolTan Arts has received the following awards • GSK IMPACT Award, 2015 • AIM Award, 2015 • Strengthening Citizen Voice Award – MHPF, 2015 • Queens Award for Voluntary Service, 2014 • Investing in Volunteers (IiV), 2014 • Innovation Award South London Membership Council, 2013 • Best Practice in Peer Support Development – MHPF, 2013 • Celebrating Diversity Award – Southwark Arts Forum, 2013
Member of Locality, Nsun, LAHF, MHPF. We are proud to have as patrons: Arthur Smith, Maggi Hambling, Ali Smith, Clare Allan and Rosemary Shrager Registered charity number 1064231. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales reg: 3244552