Off the Wall

Hands up if you're missing the whole heap of real-world culture that Notts has to offer? I think it's safe to say we all are. But while we stay safe and stay home, there is one artistic offering still available from this city. So the next time you’re on your daily walk, run or cycle, take a minute to look around at the art pieces that aren’t in galleries or on our screens, but sit on Nottingham’s walls, buildings and side streets...

Nottingham has lots of pretty mad, cool and colourful street art that even glancing at briefly will help lift your spirits. So why not go street art hunting on your daily exercise outing? You might find some pretty impressive art lurking around the corner; we've got some talented street artists in the city, and there's plenty to look at...

What's in the City Centre?

Art pieces are dotted around town: on the Lace Market chippy, the side of Six Barrels by Viccy centre and down the alleyway to Five Leaves. As well as a few bigger iconic pieces.

An orange wall home to the Notts Legends piece opposite The Angel showcases some of the most famous and greatest from the city. The piece, by a range of different artists, includes a modern-day Robin Hood sporting a Tesco bag on his head and the classic white-lines-downthe-sides trackies, Batman and recreated film stills of Nottingham’s very own Hollywood superstar Samantha Morton.

A UFO is approaching Broadway Cinema, just up by the steps – look left to see it flying down to earth. Maybe the aliens are coming to see the latest arthouse releases? This one is an explosion of the weird and wacky. The UFO looks down on pretty much everything under the sun. Think mushrooms, birds, badgers and creepy hands, you've probably never noticed how much stuff can fit in one image before.

The Mimm shop situated just opposite Broadway Cinema has just been painted anew by the lovely Emily Catherine. The shop's new look now features the singer Sade, who was chosen by our Em for her International Women’s Day nomination, because of her wonderful music and pioneering work on trans rights. And stroll a little further down Broad Street to see another piece from Mimm by Phill Blake: this time a powerful black and white portrait of a woman dripped in beads and jewels.

What's in Sneinton Market?

Plenty of colour for you with new work popping up all the time. There are pieces from Notts street artists Dilk and Kid30 amongst lots more. With the Montana shop nestled in an array of creative shops and businesses, it's not surprising the area is known for its colourful collection.

What's in Hyson Green?

A little birdie and a big birdhouse, a skatepark and a powerful black history mural.

Tucked away up a side street, Maple Street Skatepark is covered in street art and graffiti, and its location makes it even more special. The Think Global Act Local piece (another one from Mimm!) by Kaption 1 is a few years old but still a lush spring green that looks best glimmering in the sunshine and blue skies.

Down the side street by New Art Exchange – and created by the gallery and the local community – is the Pathways Mural that showcases Black History figures on a background of traditional African patterns and prints. Each of the people painted tells a story. Like Nottingham legend George Africanus, a former slave and one of the first black entrepreneurs of the 18th century.

What's in Beeston?

A moving tribute to a local hero, bees, mandalas and much more. Beeston had its own street art festival back in 2018, has a few gems from international artists and will have more commissions popping up on the other side of lockdown. The area has a buzzing street art scene and many pieces that bring vibrancy to the area.

The Beeston icons mural on Station Road was commissioned by Broxtowe Borough Council as part of Beeston Street Art Festival (2018). The late actor Richard Beckinsale, the late singer/songwriter Edwin Starr, and fashion designer Sir Paul Smith were spray-painted by international street artist Zabou.

The Painted Lady mural by Jim Vision stands on High Road and may just take your breath away. It depicts the once-in-a-decade mass migration of painted lady butterflies arriving in the UK from Africa. words: Rachel Willcocks

Mental Health Support During COVID-19

During these uniquely difficult times, focussing on a single mental health problem doesn’t quite seem right. So instead, here’s a roundup of some of the services available in Nottingham, and how they’ve been affected by COVID-19.

Framework

Framework has announced that the only major change to their service is that their support workers are all based at home, meaning that they are still currently offering phone support. They have also said that face-to-face appointments will be available in extreme cases if required, and new cases are also still being accepted. Prior to COVID-19, the services Framework were providing included specialised supported housing; Wellness in Mind (advice and signposting regarding mental health); support outreach programmes; therapies including CBT, mindfulness and psychological and talking therapies; employment and skills support, Better working futures: health management, training and skills support, help applying for jobs and with personal circumstances affecting employment. Opportunity and Change: Help for people with complex needs to access education, training and employment. Social enterprise: Work placements in Sutton in Ashfield. Skills Plus: support with money management, shopping on a budget, communication, tenancy, health and wellbeing, mortgages/ tenancy support, confidence, healthier lifestyles support, move towards employment. Nature in Mind: walks, workshops, gardening and cooking support and skills building.

Nottingham Women’s Centre

The centre is currently closed and all face-to-face contact is cancelled, although they are still offering telephone and online support. There is a link on their website with COVID-19-related local support groups across the country.

The services prior to COVID-19 included: Advice on: Enrolling in learning/training, getting jobs, arranging volunteer placements, benefits/financial support, money management, difficult life issues. Counselling: Group therapy, psychodrama, peer support groups. Courses: Such as academic, personal development and activities/crafts. Online resources: on social media safety. Spaces to meet, libraries and pamper sessions.

Middle Street Resource Centre

Room hires are currently cancelled, as is their Mindset programme. The café is closed, and visits to the premises are limited and only with prior arrangement in exceptional circumstances. Staff are still in the centre providing telephone support, and their garden and gardening activities are still operating. They are also looking into providing outreach support for food deliveries. Services listed on their website include: their café, which offers affordable food in a supportive environment, their gardens which provide social interaction and teaches gardening skills, support groups, Mindset, which is run by people who have experienced mental health issues and Next Step, which is peer-led.

Open Door

Their home care support is running as normal. Pre-COVID-19 services included: Recovery and social activities including coping skills, discussion groups, cookery groups, walking groups, art groups, relaxation groups and outdoor/adventure therapy.

Samaritans

Branches are currently closed and training for volunteers has stopped, which means longer response times, but they are still offering telephone and email support as normal.

Mind

Mind is currently running telephone helplines and video conferences. Pre-COVID services included: telephone support, information and signposting, legal advice and mental healthrelated law advice, online community support, peer support. According to their website, there is currently no branch in Nottingham for people to drop into.

NCVS

Staff are working remotely and can be contacted by email (ncvs@nottinghamcvs.co.uk) or on 0115 934 8400. There is also a dedicated COVID-19 resource page with appeals for supplies, donations and links to local resources and groups. They are also hosting virtual events, like singing workshops and selfemployment webinars. There are also websites offering advice and support on looking after your mental health including resources on sleep, wellbeing, anxiety, low mood, including:

mentalhealth.org.uk/publications nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters

Support for Isolation and Loneliness

Mind

You can call their helplines, or find support online

0300 123 3393, or text 86463 mind.org.uk Age UK Notts

Welfare service offering shopping/medication collection support and telephone emotional support.

0115 844 0011

Supportline

Telephone support for all ages

01708765200

The Mix

Telephone support for 13-25 year olds

0808 908 4994, or text THEMIX to 85258 themix.org.uk/get-support

NHS

There is a NHS page that has videos on dealing with unhelpful thoughts, tackling worries and relaxation exercises, as well as a list of mental health helplines.

nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/anxiety nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-healthhelplines

Support for Autism

The National Autism Society have some resources online to help with COVID-19, as well as telephone and online helplines

autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus 0808 800 4104

The Autism Certification Centre have set up online video learning resources

autismcertificationcenter.org

And Autistica have a website for coping with uncertainty, that offers coping mechanisms and strategies

autistica.org.uk