CoolFruit - Pilot Issue

The CoolTan Arts Review Summer 2013

Inside: Events Reviews Exhibitions Insight Poetry Recipes ...and more!

The CoolTan Arts Review

© 2013 All Right Reserved

CoolFruit Magazine was produced by volunteers at CoolTan Arts in workshops led by Annie Spinster with special sessions by Clancy Davies.

Jon Baird Karen O’Toole Siobhan Gallagher Steven Parry Zackary Ephson Zbyszek Podziewski

Written & Edited by:

Amy Bradshaw Ann Fenn Annie Spinster Annie Weekes Douglas Taylor Emine Nectorio Estera Zajanckauskaite

Layout & Design:

Steven Parry and Jon Baird

Cover Image:

William Ball - Tokyo; acrylic on canvas

With Contributions by:

Debbie Francis Janita Chooramun Jill Spencer Lilian Reascos Maki Spanoudis Pablo Antoli Phil Ruthen Rik Sanders Sasha Dee

We would love to hear your views and thoughts on what is in this magazine.

Do you have a memory of CoolTan in years past that you’d like to share? What has been your experience of applying for DLA/PIP? Maybe you have a poem, recipe or piece of art you would like to share with us - We would like to include a letters page in our next issue so please do send in your thoughts. We are also open for submissions of longer articles and artwork.

Please send all letters and submissions to cooltanmagazine@gmail.com and we will include as many as we can.

With thanks to the Vodafone World of Difference programme for supporting this project.

The CoolTan Arts Review

Welcome

to the first issue of CoolFruit, the CoolTan Arts Review. This magazine is a collaboration by participants and volunteers and brings you the best of CoolTan Arts’ creativity.

We hope you will enjoy reading it. We’ve taken our cue from the Mad Hatters Tea Party (more on page 22 from Amy Bradshaw) and the theme of Summer.

We have exclusive pictures and a review from the Grand Opening of CoolTan’s new building and as Cooltan celebrates its 23rd birthday we look at the history of the project, how it was founded and its aspirations for the future.

We have profiles of two CoolTan Artists: Aaron Pilgrim, who shares his secrets with Zackary Ephson, and Liz Innes, who talks to Annie Spinster about her practice, rooted in nature.

St John’s Wort is a natural remedy for depression and anxiety. Jill Spencer talks us through its transformative properties and Ann Fenn takes an artistic journey through Southwark to document its changing culture over the past few decades.

Cooltan participants guide us through the changes to DLA and navigate a path towards a successful changeover to PIP. We also have poetry, recipes, stacks of beautiful artwork and more!

Contents Grand Opening

4

Skyscape Exhibition

7

Cool Memories

9

Artist Profile - Aaron Pilgrim

14

Will It Give You The PIP?

18

Mad Hatters

22

Currant Bun Exhibition

24

Poetry

26

Hysteria

29

Southwark Tales

31

Artist Profile - Liz Innes

34

Worts And All

38

Competition

41

Images by Rik Sanders

42

Breathe

43

What’s Cooking?

44

Cool Stuff

48

How to Join CoolTan Arts

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Please enjoy!

m a e T t i u r F l o o C e h T A Downloadable version of this magazine is available at: www.cooltanarts.org.uk

The opinions in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CoolTan Arts as a charity.

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Grand Opening ‘Hats off to CoolTan’ at the Grand Opening Party!

We had a fantastic time at the party on Tuesday 16th July to celebrate CoolTan Arts’ move to new premises. We were joined by special guests Dr Jonty Heaversedge, our local GP and TV’s Street Doctor, and by the newly elected Deputy Mayor of Southwark, Sunil Chopra.

The evening began with tours of the new building. Visitors were impressed with the light, spacious rooms, the indoor toilet and the new, purpose built Community Kitchen.

CoolTan’s CEO Michelle Baharier began proceedings by thanking the staff who had worked so hard to help CoolTan move house, some had given up their weekend to ensure the move went smoothly. She then handed

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Annie Spinster

the mic to the Deputy Mayor, Sunil Chopra. It was Sunil’s first visit to CoolTan and he was impressed with what he found: ‘CoolTan is great at encouraging people from different backgrounds. People think they don’t belong if they’re not encouraged.’ He was also very impressed with the Community Kitchen and CoolTan’s new Cooking Club. He finished his speech with a heartfelt ‘Hats off to you!’ as he praised the dedication of both staff and volunteers at CoolTan. Michelle then gave a very special announcement: CoolTan Arts Self-Advocacy Skills Training programme has won the category Best Practice in Peer Support Development in the Mental Health Providers Forum (MHPF) Best Practice Awards 2013. Michelle Savioz, Self-Advocacy Trainer and Project Administrator,

accepted applause and congratulations on behalf of herself and Phil Ruthen, Advocacy Training Coordinator on the project.

Next up was Dr Jonty Heaversedge, who had more words of praise for CoolTan: ‘It’s important to think outside the box with regards to mental health. More often we think in terms of disease and disability. What I love about CoolTan is the way it turns patients back into people, focusing on what they can do, not what they can’t. It’s great to get a sense of what CoolTan does; I wish you every success in your new building.’

On that note, it was time to pop the Champagne cork and officially open the new building and the new exhibition, Skyscape. The views across London provided a fantastic backdrop for the artworks. The theme of the exhibition, the ever changing Southwark skyline, was inspired by the sheer joy of being able to gaze at the skies from CoolTan’s windows after several years of being housed in a windowless industrial shed.

The works in the exhibition are incredibly varied in scale, style and materials, from Saffron Saidi’s tiny photographs of Battersea power station to Michelle Baharier’s large scale digital prints. Saffron said, ‘It’s an iconic piece

of architecture which to me symbolises the end of the industrial age. Lots of people used to work there. Now, everyone goes there and sees it as part of the skyline.’

Elsewhere in the exhibition, Howard Luke uses heavy acrylic brush strokes on canvas to depict busy and surreal street scenes and Mike Fox’s delicate ink drawing reimagines

Events

Gin Lane for 2013 – a world of overpriced coffee, betting shops and large plastic bottles of cider.

Artist Carol Mathias-Ibe tells me about her work, Freedom, a digital image of a small floating figure in a fluffy clouded blue sky: ‘When we talk about being healthy it’s not just to do with food, you have to look at the inside too. Well being is being free from too many worries. My artwork is about freedom and feeling peaceful.’

The second part of the evening’s entertainments began with the launch of Diagnosis Hysteria? Prescription: Hysteria! - the anthology of poems by the Women’s Poetry Group. I was involved in this myself as I designed the layout of the book and contributed some items to it. I introduced the book by reading Michelle Baharier’s Preface before passing the mic to Kate Massey-Chase, the Women’s Poetry Group tutor and a great source of inspiration to the poets, as shown by the participants’ quotes which Kate read out. Karen Unrue, Michelle Savioz and Antiqu’e then read some of their poetry from the book and William Ball read a poem by his close friend Debbie Francis, who sadly died last May, during the book’s production. Michelle Baharier then livened the crowd up with some audience participation in her poem, Born on the NHS, before opening the floor to anybody who wanted to read a poem. We were treated to several poems by guests, including Nigel’s reading of Patricia McGuigan’s vicious portrait of Margaret Thatcher, Milk Snatcher, and some kind words from Princess, who took a moment to remember Debbie and to thank Michelle for her hard work.

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Mike Fox: Gin lane 2013 After Hogarth - Pen on cartridge paper Howard Luke: Untitled 2 Acrylic on canvas

6

Mike Fox: Our Only Vision Acrylic on canvas

Skyscape Exhibition

Aaron Pilgrim: Tower Bridge From Southbank Collage & acrylic on paper

Doug Taylor: Chaos 3 Acrylic on canvas

Saffron Saidi: All Over Battersea - Photographs

Michelle Baharier: Before The Shard - Photo montage

Carol Mathias-Ibe : Freedom - Photoshop

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8

entlyemises ted in c e s... r g r r e n a p v i t a d ay h iny new o they s urroun m s s h t g n Ar ved in s years a ifferent a T l Coo mo but 23 very d

moved in shiny new premises

By Siobhan Gallagher and Annie Spinster

1990 The Mental Health charity/social enterprise began life in a squat in an abandoned CoolTan Suntan lotion factory in Effra Road, Brixton, from which their name derived.

CoolTan, in those days known as Pullit, stayed there for a couple of years before eviction in February 1992. They then moved to the huge old Unemployment Benefit Office in Coldharbour Lane in September of that year.

The first intention for CoolTan Arts was to provide a creative DIY community space in Brixton - then a very deprived, urban environment. Coldharbour Lane had the highest rate of shootings anywhere in London at that time. Thousands of

Top: Sex Health & Education Flyer1995 Bottom: State Of The Art Michelle Baharier

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local and London wide people got involved in the project, which included homeless people living on site, a huge gallery space of 4000 sq feet, a vegetarian café run by different people daily with opportunities to perform and show and share films to others for evening entertainment, rehearsal rooms, welding workshops, photography, life drawing, Tai Chi … in fact if you could teach it, you could run it!

CoolTan in those days had an anarchic flow of opportunities to discover your talents. The CoolTan squat also provided accommodation for campaigning groups such as Reclaim the Streets, Earth First!, Lambeth Green Party, Freedom Network and the London Friends and Families of Travellers.

The huge gallery space enabled the collective to curate large scale ambitious exhibitions such as Manipulated Metals which featured a battered Renault 4 hanging from the ceiling and SLUMP - an open competition called ‘South London Undiscovered Masterpieces Prize’ it was a pun on the Turner prize and all entrants won a prize in their medium of work.

1995

In those days CoolTan Arts were famous for their fundraising parties and all-nighters, featuring top DJs and sound systems, such as Mixmaster Morris, Liberators, Offshore, Tribal Energy, Astralasia, Scientist, Timeshard, Megabitch and Evolution, as well as all sorts of strange and spectacular performances. Some parties attracted as many as 1500 people.

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However, CoolTan lost their Grade I listed premises in September 1995, at the end of a ‘Tenancy at Will’ agreement with The Voice newspaper, who had outbid them for the site and then put it up for sale. The building lay unused for twelve years until it finally became derelict enough for the developers to demolish in 2007. The site was eventually acquired last year by Barratt Homes for a luxury housing development.

History Following the eviction, the many groups which had come together in the CoolTan squat went their separate ways. Some members went on to form ASC Studios, a charity which still exists, with a mission to provide affordable studio space to artists. Another still thriving group is Exploding Cinema, born as Reel Love in the Pullit days in the old CoolTan factory.

Some organisations are sadly no longer with us, including The Camberwell Carrot - an organic wholefood restaurant, Cheese Block Theatre Company and ToolCan – an organisation that ran bicycle workshops and DJ-ing workshops in Manchester. Pullit itself reformed in 2010 and held a group show in 2011 at ASC Studios’ premises in New Cross Gate.

mental distress, it was as simple as that.’

Coming from such a political background created problems initially when trying to become a registered charity. ‘We had to be interviewed one by one by the Charities Commission,’ Michelle says, ‘normally it’s a quick process to become a charity once you are a Company Limited by Guarantee, but for us it took a year.’

The charity was homeless for a few years, operating out of local libraries. With only a P.O. Box as an address, what could have been more appropriate than an International Mail Art project? Curated by Julia Tant, the project culminated in an exhibition at Brixton Tate Library in 1997. This not only suited the cashstrapped charity but also those who were submitting work on a very low budget. AsJulia said at the time, ‘You have to decorate an envelope or enclose a piece of art in an envelope and post it in. The idea of Mail Art means people without a great deal of money can get involved in creating art’

However, the spirit of CoolTan Arts was not to be defeated. A small group from the squat set about becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee in 1996 and a year later, CoolTan Arts became a Registered Charity with the aim of using the Arts to promote mental well being.

Michelle Baharier, CoolTan’s CEO remembers, ‘The decision to focus on mental health wasn’t hard - we all had

Left: Liberation flyer 1994 Above: International Mail Art Show 1997

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2002 In 2002, CoolTan finally found a home in a railway arch at Loughborough Junction in Coldharbour Lane. Compared with their previous premises it was tiny: a single room acting as office, kitchen and workshop space. It was enough, though, for CoolTan to start some exciting projects and a Mind Millennium Award of £1000 allowed them to set up an art group for women who had survived mental distress, sexual assault and trauma. The classes enabled women to share their experiences and develop their creativity in a safe space. To this day CoolTan continues to run a women only visual arts workshop.

Since those days, CoolTan Arts has gone from strength to strength. Despite severe funding cuts, CoolTan worked with 807 individuals face-to face last year and over 3000 people attended CoolTan events.

2006 In 2006, CoolTan moved to the lively Walworth Road and was housed in an old linseed oil factory/warehouse with the infamous portaloo outside. It was a great move for CoolTan, giving them much more space with separate rooms for different workshops and once again, a dedicated gallery space. This was officially opened by Maggi Hambling at a Grand Opening event which was also attended by John Bird of The Big Issue. The quiet industrial yard provided space for a container garden that went on and on and never failed to lift visitors’ spirits.

As well as creative workshops, CoolTan developed projects including ‘CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle’ - a monthly guided cultural

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walk through Southwark to celebrate mental well being through exercise, creativity and history; and the Self-Advocacy Skills training programme, designed and led by participants, which provides people with the tools and the confidence to stand up for themselves and their rights. The Largactyl Shuffle attracted 550 walkers last year, with this year’s Summer Solstice Midnight Walk attracting over 100 walkers in a single night!

By the time CoolTan held their 21st birthday party, they were once again outgrowing their premises. Michelle remembers the night: ‘Over 100 people brought food and celebrated with fun, laughter and love for the Project that

History had helped them so much. It was humbling and wonderful to be with such beautiful people.’

2013 In March 2013 CoolTan found their next place to stay, just across the road in a modern office building. The move has given them more space, more light, central heating and an indoor toilet! There is also a fully accessible training kitchen, allowing CoolTan to run their exciting new cookery project, The CoolTan Cooking Club - Better Food for Better Mood.

The building was officially opened just a few days ago by Dr Jonty Heaversedge, our local GP and TV’s ‘Street Doctor’. Some things have changed over the years. Becoming a charity means CoolTan can now secure proper funding for projects but this can take a long time. A recent bid for money from the Big Lottery Fund took a whole year, with numerous focus groups

also keen to contribute and ensure CoolTan’s future. As Michelle says, ‘For the past eight years, we’ve been running a sponsored walk to raise funds. Participants pay £5 to take part, which is a large percentage of a person’s total weekly income when on benefits, as most of our participants are.

The people who use CoolTan Arts really value the support they get. I hope their generosity encourages others who could support us to be as generous with their giving.’

CoolTan is a place where you can set your own goals, and a place that does its best to support as many ideas as possible. ‘Nobody comes here under duress, you come here because you want to participate,’ Michelle says. ‘We don’t believe CoolTan is for everyone and we don’t believe it’s the only place people should come. People should have access to a wide range of options to develop themselves, not as a label but as a person with a wide range of interests.

The Future

and the combined skills of four people to write the application.

‘It’s a great honour for us to be the group who have carried forward the name of CoolTan Arts from the early days.’ Michelle says, ‘The values we had right back in the beginning are reflected in CoolTan’s values to this day, values which encourage autonomy and respect. We are sensitive towards the economic climate and don’t use workfare or run apprenticeships - we avoid things we think are exploitative and unrealistic. ’CoolTan’s continuing strength lies in its DIY ethos.

People who come to CoolTan for help are

What does Michelle wish for the future of the charity? ‘We are provided for in the planning consent for the old site across the road. We will have the option under a section 106 to buy a brand new, purpose built building on the site with a garden. I think that would make a great birthday present for any organisation. To help us achieve this we need a sugar parent or several.’ Michelle adds, ‘We also want to embed what we do into GP referrals so GPs understand the benefits of creativity for people with low level and complex mental distress, and can help them avoid the side effects which come with ineffective and expensive medication.’

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Aaron Pilgrim

Above: Swallow - Ink on paper Right: Fields - Acrylic on canvas

Aaron Pilgrim

Standing in one of CoolTan’s Art studios, Aaron Pilgrim runs around tirelessly as he organizes various pictures to be framed for the Currant BunArt exhibition... ...The room we’re in is congested with many things, serving partly as storage and as a classroom. Piled in two corners you’ll see stakes of canvases, with some paintings dating as far back as 10 years. Looking closely around, you’ll also catch huge swathes of clothes from past fashion shows, and a large set of African drums neatly banded together. The room appears to seethe and swell with a world of creativity. It is here that I catch up with Aaron and find out about his ideas, influences and techniques as an Artist... Zackary Ephson Art has always played an intimate part in Aaron’s life. In primary school, Aaron tells me he would wait impatiently for new story books to arrive. He would dive straight into them, eager to find his next picture to copy using his coloured felt tips. ‘There was always an element of surprise because you didn’t quite know what size, number of pages, and pictures to expect’. His natural enthusiasm towards Art was no mystery for those around. ‘My teacher would always encourage me to illustrate my work. I suppose she was very keen on Art herself to think about it she always gave me time’.

Impressionism is by far the type of

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Art Aaron truly enjoys creating. If one looks over the range of pictures he’s painted, you’ll notice a strikingly similar style between his own work and that of other Impressionists. Take for example, Aaron’s picture of the Millennium Dome. Observing the composition long enough, you’ll be able to spot glimpses of the compelling sunsets painted by Impressionist Claude Monet.

As Aaron marches around the room to find a suitable picture frame, he resurrects the tender moments on his discovery of impressionism. ‘During one of my Art Therapy sessions, I noticed a

Artists Profile

small print hanging up in the far corner of the room. Curious, I got up to take a closer look, and I was instantly blinded by this marvellous print version of Van Gogh’s Irises’. Aaron continues, ‘After doing some research, I learnt that some of the impressionists actually travelled around South London, painting Norwood, Sydenham and the Thames. Van Gogh even lived in Brixton at one point for a few months. I can’t explain it, I just felt a lot closer to them knowing that some had once set foot near the very places I grew up.’

As he settles back down, and takes two sips of his tea, he begins to discuss some of the people who have helped to shape his artistic skills.

‘Jane always emphasised one thing: simply enjoy your Art. She always brought out the passion in Art’. A Lecturer of

Art at Goldsmiths University, Jane lived only a few metres away from Aaron.

‘She would tell me about different art programmes to watch and art museums to visit.’ The conversations were endless, and they were all about Art. ‘I had my first real Art lesson from Jane. She looked at a painting I did of Big Ben, and said I needed to improve my linear perspective.’

Aaron always trusted Jane’s criticism: ‘I was like a closed book when I was young, with Jane that all started to change’. As he continued talking, I got the sense that Jane cared for Aaron a lot and always sought to bring out the best in him.

Another of Aaron’s influences is Douglas Druce, his former Art tutor at Morley College. ‘I used to look on with fascination when he painted. He had this really light eloquent touch. I always wished I could replicate it’. Aaron was

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inspired by Druce’s generosity: ‘He used to say that Artists were forever shrouded in mystery. They were all like magicians, unwilling to give away their tricks and techniques. He broke all that, arguing that if there was someone who was anxious to learn, one should try to pass on the knowledge’. Aaron has stood by this principle ever since.

To my right, a huge ink coloured painting of a Swallow rests on top of a paper rack, one of Aaron’s most recent works of art.

He tells me, ‘These birds migrate from South Africa all the way to Britain every year. It’s an extremely long way, many don’t make it’. Looking at this picture, and many others, one quickly gathers that he loves painting subjects concerning nature and the outdoors, typical of Impressionists. Apart from painting the subjects that he enjoys, he also appears to take delight in finding out information about them. ‘As a young child I watched a lot of David Attenborough’s programmes.

I would learn a lot about animals and nature in general.’

‘I’ve had nothing but support, praise and enjoyment here...’

I ask Aaron how he goes about starting his paintings: ‘If I’m going to paint a building or some kind of landscape, I’ll take lots of pictures, even from angles which I don’t intend to paint from. The idea is to catch as much detail of the scene as possible ... this certainly won’t be the case if you limit yourself to half a dozen camera snaps. Sometimes I just walk around the area I wish to paint.

People might think I’m strange, but it’s the only way I can capture a feel for what I’m about to paint’.

Moving aside from the discussion surrounding his work, and some of the people who influenced him, I press Aaron to tell me how he got involved in CoolTan Arts.

Aaron was introduced to CoolTan Arts by Michelle Baharier, CEO of the charity. ‘I’ve

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Cloc Dick

Righ

Artists Profile had nothing but support, praise and enjoyment here.

It’s always been a non-competitive place no matter how good you are.’ He smiles as he remembers ... ‘I worked under Rossen Daskalov for over two years at CoolTan. He was very knowledgeable about the Old Masters’ techniques. He taught me how to use the Gesso boards and stretch canvas. He helped me build the huge Angel standing in the corridor.’ The Angel, modelled on the social reformer Octavia Hill, was originally designed as a temporary, biodegradable sculpture to be left along the route of the Largactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk in 2010.

Loved so much, it was rescued by staff and now it stands on permanent display within the CoolTan building. Aaron has no plans to leave CoolTan. ‘I would love to volunteer here one day, maybe even teach my own Art class.’

For now though, Aaron is in the midst of writing his own book called, The History of Art Materials for drawing, painting and printing. It aims to cover a wealth of subjects including; the history of pigments, pencils, paper and other surfaces. It even reaches as far as the present day with Photoshop and the Internet. ‘The most interesting story for me is the history of pigments,’ Aaron continues, ‘the range of materials they’ve been made from over history is so diverse, everything from brown pigment from ancient Egyptian mummies to blue from Lapis Lazuli, to Indian Yellow, made from cow’s urine’. The book will be available in the autumn as an e-book, with all profits going to CoolTan Arts.

As Aaron eases further down into his chair, he throws up some last words of advice for any aspiring artists: ‘Brush criticism aside and enjoy your Art.’ He remembers how difficult it was when receiving his first public criticism. ‘I used to get really upset and despondent about peoples’ negative comments. They’re always going to compare your work to the best artists, irrespective of who you are. The bottom line is that as long as you like what you do, and you enjoy doing it, that’s what really matters.’

ckwise: Dome - Acrylic on canvas; Mrs Catherine kens - Ink on paper; Angel - Sculpture

ht: Boats - Acrylic on canvas

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What is PIP? • • • • •

PIP stands for Personal Independence Payment Replaces Disability Living Allowance Pays for extra support individuals may need for their condition Can be awarded for physical or mental conditions Assessment is points based involving face to face consultation with regular reviews • Not means tested or taxable

THE PIP?

Will It Give You...

Since 1992 the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) has been the main benefit for people with mental or physical disability. Cooltan looks at the consequences of the changeover to PIP.

These changes are causing anxiety amongst CoolTan participants. Some charities are concerned that the new assessment focuses too much on physical tests rather than issues related to mental health.

Adrian, a CoolTan service user told us: ‘The questions are…based around obvious disabilities and it is often difficult or impossible to shoehorn people with invisible and fluctuating impairments into them.’ Other CoolTan participants, such as Alison, think the PIP assessment is not significantly different to its previous incarnation and that while prejudicial attitudes towards mental health still prevail; ‘It is similar enough to the DLA application process to be able to

Ruya Galep

give detailed enough answers to their questions relating to our mental health issues.”

‘I think the very first daunting hurdle that mental health service users are faced with is finding the right help, either professional, or from supportive friends/family, to fill out the forms in the first place. If applicants can try and focus on this important first step in the application process and then worry about the face-to-face assessment, if and when that comes up.’

Nevertheless, Alison feels help is essential.

‘Another person has a more objective approach like a friend or family member, and can give emotional support during the process. I would have given up on the task if my sister hadn’t been there for me. At that time I was feeling very depressed and hopeless about all aspects of my future.’

What is Changing?

• There is no Indefinite Award, this is replaced with an Ongoing Award • More frequent reviews • No lower rate - all awards will be either assessed as Standard or Enhanced

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Timescale of Changes?

From 7th October 2013 new assessments begin.

Existing claimants continue to get DLA. From 24th February 2014 the first PIP applications begin, including... children about to turn 16; those reaching the end of a fixed period DLA; anyone who reports a change in their condition; and those who have chosen to be reassessed.

From October 2015, all remaining DLA claimants must apply for PIP if invited.

By the end of 2017, all eligible claimants between 16 and 65 now on DLA will have been reassessed.

Paper Application Filling in the PIP form involves answering questions about varying levels of abillity as applied to each of 12 actvities. The DWP define these as ‘descriptors’.

Generally, the descriptors more relevant to mental disability are those towards the bottom of that particular list of descriptors. It’s worth keeping a day-to-day diary to see how often you go out, cook, or interact socially before making the application. Avoid ticking the ‘sometimes’ box in the form, as this can be interpreted as ‘occasionally’. According to the DWP, the condition has to affect the claimant ‘at some stage of the day, on more than 50 per cent of days in the 12 month period,’ meaning the assessment should take into account fluctuating conditions.

A broad interpretation of the questions is needed

especially when relating to mental health. For instance, the question which tests the ability to make a journey is part of the ‘mobility assessment’, and this might appear to be only related to physical mobility. But the claimants inability to make a journey at rush hour due to anxiety, paranoia or agoraphobia would fulfil the criteria too.

The DWP assessment guidelines state that; ‘…a claimant with a severe depressive illness may physically be able to prepare food and feed himself, but may lack the motivation to do so, to the extent of needing prompting from another person to carry out the task.’ When answering the questions, the claimant should take into account the need for support from other people, such as prompting to carry out tasks like taking medication, communicating, washing, cooking or negotiating social situations. Michelle Savioz, the Sel Advocacy Trainer at

CoolTan says; ‘…People with mental distress find it very difficult to articulate their symptoms and how their illness affects their ability to carry out ordinary daily tasks such as getting out of bed in the morning, commuting on the underground, concentrating on filling in application forms, mood swings, or food shopping with the intention of eating nutritionally optimal food.’

As Chris explains, sometimes it is very difficult to carry out basic functions at home; ‘I rarely cook for myself…

I usually get by with sandwiches or ready meals. I’ll have a cooked meal when someone does it for me. I may cook a meal by oven once in a while, maybe once every two weeks on average.’

The PIP form provides space for a claimant to explain how their condition affects them, but this may not always be straightforward for a

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How is PIP Assessed?

• Two components: ‘daily living’ and ‘mobility’ • Daily living (10 activities): including; preparing food, washing, dressing, communicating, budgeting decisions.

• Mobility (2 activites): planning and following journeys, moving around • Each task be carried out safely and reliably, to an acceptable standard, in a timely manner, and repeatedly • ‘Timely manner’ means within about twice the time an average person would take to complete the task.

• The condition has to affect the claimant ‘at some stage of the day, on more than 50% of days in the 12 month period’.

• Standard award requires a minimum of 8 points at assessment • Enhanced award requires a minimum of 12 points at assessment claimant. Chris has applied for DLA in the past, but says ‘I felt anxious…because I had to outline my condition (OCD) and symptoms in detail. However, I realised it’s necessary to put everything down…

It’s natural to want to talk about the positive periods on the form...but really the important thing is to let them know the difficulties I face in as much detail that’s what I’m being assessed on.’

Alison remains optimistic though. ‘If applicants are able to be detailed about the impact of their conditions and give relevant examples of their difficulties, they should try to be hopeful. Easier said than done, I know!’

In Person Assessment CoolTan user and DLA recipient Doug has experience of appeals procedures, and believes the key to a successful outcome of a face-to-face meeting is preparation and getting support.

‘Always prepare properly and get things in place if possible. Take someone with you even if they do not know the law, their presence can be beneficial in more ways than one. Make sure they are present when you are being assessed. I cannot stress how important it is to have some form of medical evidence and the presence of a friend with you at all times.’

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Supporting Evidence Supporting evidence from a Health Care Professional (HCP), including evidence from an Alternative Therapist, carries equal weight to a claimants answers to the questions on the claim form. You need to be clear about what you want your HCP to say. Ask them to be as detailed as possible, the length of time it takes to get dressed in the morning/ afternoon can be relevant as evidence in the right context.

Evidence from an HCP should be sent at an early stage, along with the form. There is no harm sending in evidence repeatedly. You can send in copies of letters from GPs, Consultants, Nurses and Occupational Therapists but read what they have written carefully and, if necessary, ask them to re-submit the evidence to you directly, not to the DWP. Alison says: ‘I was very fortunate to be offered free professional help applying for DLA for the first time in 2005 at Guy’s Hospital IPTS (Intensive Psychological Therapies Service).

The person really knew her stuff on how to make a successful claim and the staff gave good supporting evidence.’ She believes this makes a real difference.

‘If we can continue to persevere in establishing at least one supportive relationship with a GP, CPN or other professional, their supporting evidence can go a long way.’

DO DO DO DO DO DO DON’T DON’T DON’T

Do’s and Dont’s

Keep a diary of daily activities and the problems you encounter Get advice before filling in the form Get help filling out the form, ideally from a professional Get supporting evidence from your GP/ HCP and send it in early Take someone with you to the assessment to support you Give as much information as possible Fill in the form without help - See the links below for professional help Minimise the difficulties you face day to day Send in supporting evidence until you have read it

Getting support from a healthcare professional ensures your participation in the evidence process - an essential factor for a successful application.

Michelle Savioz explains how this links in with the Self Advocacy services provided

by CoolTan; ‘We help people to advocate for themselves by learning skills such as assertiveness, communication skills and how it affects them. It prepares them for entering the community, accessing services, employment, and assessments such as the Personal

Independence Payment (PIP). It is delivered once a week by two Trainers and external specialists are commissioned to deliver specialist topical subjects such as the Department for Work and Pensions who

gave a thorough two hour training session on PIP in June.’

As Cooltan service users such as Alison, Doug, Adrian and Chris have indicated, the assessment is daunting but not insurmountable.

Professional advice is available in both Southwark and Lambeth, including help with filling out the assessment form. Don’t take the ‘I manage’ approach and if in doubt speak to someone at Cooltan who can point you in the right direction - see the links at the bottom of this article. And good luck with your application!

Useful Contacts...

SOUTHWARK All advice services in Southwark are now available online on the link below. For information on drop-In sessions go to Advice Centres at the top of the web page. www.southwarkadvice.org.uk LAMBETH Lambeth Citizens Advice Bureau Ilex House, 1 Barrhill Road, Streatham SW2 4RJ - Tel: 0844 243 8430 Brixton Advice Centre 167 Railton Road, Brixton SW9 0LU - Tel: 020 7733 7554

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Saturday 15th June was a date I had firmly marked in my diary, for no other reason than the fact that it was CoolTan Arts’ very own ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’. Amy Bradshaw For those who are not aware, this is CoolTan’s summer open day event, a chance to come along and explore the charity, find out as much as you can, partake in different workshops, and sample some lovely food, this year prepared by the CooTan Arts Cooking Club. Seeing as the charity had only moved buildings barely 3 months previously, this was also a great opportunity to show off the new space. There was also the opening of the ‘Currant Bun’ exhibition, but more about that later.

Art Workshops

Starting promptly at 1.40pm, we had the ‘Potato Printing Workshop’, run by Sarah, a CoolTan Arts volunteer with a background of teaching art. The workshop got off to a good start, with Sarah showing the group some examples of the wonderful patterns they could make using the potatoes. Before long, the participants were happily creating works of art, and from what I could see, thoroughly enjoying themselves!

The same can be said for the participants sat around the table making collages. This was taking place out in the gallery space, a nice relaxed environment to sit and create art whilst having a chat with friends or maybe even making new ones. The artists made collages based around the theme of ‘hope’ - something I think we can all agree that we all need every now and then. The art was placed on a ‘wall of hope’ to be shown off to all who passed by, and what a wall it was!

“The day was flowing nicely and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, CoolTan Arts regulars as well as new faces were all equally enjoying themselves, making, and appreciating art.”

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Events

Delicious Food

Meanwhile Clara Jones, (CoolTan’s Volunteer Co-ordinator) and her volunteer team were working hard in the kitchen, preparing some tasty, and also healthy (yes it is possible) lunch for all in attendance. Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits were also served which were very welcome!

“There were a good variety of workshops including; a Personal Budget Surgery run by Paul Donaghy for people interested in how personal budgets work and Phil Ruthen gave advice to people interested in getting their voices heard with decision making and budget holding bodies”

Mindfulness meditation There was a ‘Mindfulness Workshop’, run by Michelle Savioz, CoolTan Arts’ Self Advocacy Trainer and Project Administrator.

“I chose to introduce Mindfulness to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party as it is an inclusive, free and therapeutic tool that helps people to realise how mindfulness is counteracting mindlessness.

Mindfulness is a strong tool which we all possess and it helps us to become present and acknowledge that our thoughts are locked into thinking about the past and future. I hope people who participated enjoyed it and got something long-term out of it.” Michelle Savioz

Art Exhibition This brings me to the ‘Currant Bun’ (rhyming slang for Sun) exhibition, this exhibition was to celebrate the light after the darkness, as it were, and all things light related. Paintings, photos and digital works of art were all on show, a mixture of bright, vibrant colours, to lighter, pastel shades, to black and white print. Each artist had clearly interpreted the theme in their own way, and the work was very striking. From one piece of art to the next, you were looking at something rather different. A fantastic showcase of the wonderful, wealth of creativity at CoolTan Arts.

As time went on and the event drew to a close, I reflected on an interesting day full of activities, art, creativity, advice and friendly faces; a perfect Ese Imonioro - Untitled - Mixed media on paper representation of what CoolTan is about.

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Header text left

Graem Marke

Pink Flowers - Bento: Horacio Bento Horacio Bouquet; Bouquet;Ink Inkononcartridge Cartridge Paper paper

Amy Bradshaw Silhouette On Light Silhouette on Light Painting Amy Bradshaw - Photoshop Painting; Photoshop

Currant Bun Exhibition

me Newton: Summer Day Out; er pen on cartridge paper

Marjorie McLean: Unknown Species; Acrylic on canvas

William Ball: Berlin; Acrylic on canvas

Liz Innes: Sunflowers; Ink on paper

A Friendship Cocktail 1 bottle of white spirit 1 cup of sweet smiles 3 cups of good advice 3 cups of strength 2 cups of patience 2 full cups of laughter 3 French kisses 1 clover leaf Pour the white spirit in a big bowl.

Do it in the morning for better results.

One cup of advice and then mix them well One cup of strength make sure it doesn’t fall.

One cup of full laughter the best you can sell.

Mix them all just gently. No hurry, no rush.

And then what is left, do not run, don’t crush.

Put them in a shaker and serve it after all.

And the last detail, a clover. Four leaves For love and for luck.

That is all we need the most.

Cheers!

Lilian Reascos

My name is Lilian Reascos. I am from South America. I am a believer. I love nature. Respect people. Love music and art.

Poetry is an internal, mystical, silent language.

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Poetry

Life Life can be hard Life can be fun Going to fun places Or going to tough places Falling down a mountain Or drowning in the sea When water is so valuable It seems hard to believe

When life is good One could live forever But life is bad Each day a struggle Treading carefully So as not to be misunderstood

But it does end One way or another The grey turns to white The sea is calm So one can tread easily And carry the weight of the world

Debbie Francis

Debbie loved writing poetry and through it she found a way to express her great love of the world, the people around her, and also the highs and lows of her life. Debbie was proud to be one of the founding members of the women’s poetry group.

Image by Debbie Francis

These poems are from ‘Diagnosis: Hysteria? Prescription: Hysteria!’ - Out now CoolTan Books £5.99

Cathy Smart These poems are from ‘Diagnosis: Hysteria? Prescription: Hysteria!’ - Out now CoolTan Books £5.99

Inspired by the launch of Diagnosis: Hysteria?

Prescription: Hysteria! the anthology of poems by the CoolTan Arts Women’s Poetry Group, Emine Nectorio looks at ‘hysteria’ through the ages.

“I was pleased to come across this new poetry, written by some exceptional (Hysterical) women.”

The first description we have of ‘hysteria’ is in a papyrus medical document from Ancient Egypt, dating back to 1900 BC, where it was described as the uterus moving around within the female body.

The term ‘hysteria’ comes from the Greek word ‘Hysterika’, meaning Uterus. The Ancient Greeks believed that the womb was the origin of this disease and ancient doctors, such as the ‘Father of Medicine’ Hippocrates, and Plato, believed that a woman’s uterus moved around in her body and that this caused the symptoms of ‘hysteria’, like erratic behaviour and hypochondria. Ancient doctors prescribed all kinds of remedies like pelvic massage, fumigation ... to make the uterus stay in place.

“The myth of the wandering womb lived on for centuries.”

In the Middle Ages, ‘hysterical’ women were considered possessed by impure and demonic spirits. They were subject to exorcism, accusations of witchcraft and religious fanaticism.

Since the Renaissance, medicine and science have advanced and human anatomy has begun to be understood by physicians and biologists.

Ideas around hysteria were also linked to the Feminist movement. Women who rejected the representation and role of women in society during these times were considered as hysterics.

Women had few rights, little access to education and they lacked the independence and liberty to express themselves.

Hysteria inspired the literature of 19th century authors such as Gustave Flaubert (Madame Bovary, 1857), Charlotte Bronte (Jane Eyre,1847) and Charlotte Perkins Gilman (The Yellow Wallpaper, 1892).

These books have ‘hysterical’ female characters, described as having a melancholy and depressive state.

In the 1880’s Jean-Martin Charcot, the famous French neurologist, focused on hysteria in his research, and refuted the ‘wandering womb’ theory. He believed that men could have hysterical

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symptoms too. Charcot believed that hysteria was a neurological disease and that it was similar to diseases such as epilepsy. He used hypnosis to try to understand its symptoms.

In 1895, Sigmund Freud and Josef Breuer wrote Studies on Hysteria. Both thought that they could cure hysteria using the ‘talking cure’ - encouraging women to talk. They believed that the physical symptoms of hysteria were due to the repression of painful memories and traumatic sexual experiences. Hysteria was considered as a psychological disorder.

Hysteria is no longer seen as a religious or social phenomenon. Today, someone showing these symptoms would be diagnosed as having ‘conversion disorder’ which is characterised by having uncontrollable emotional excesses with somatic symptoms (paralysis, incapacity to speak, convulsions ...) It is difficult to give a clear description of the symptoms because they are so many and varied. The methods used to try to treat it are more advanced and various: psychology, physiotherapy, group therapy, anti-depressants ... the solutions proposed and the results are varied. Women and men can be affected, but the diagnosis

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is more common among women. Someone who is diagnosed with conversion disorder has to deal with personal pains and trauma.

To this day, ‘hysteria’ is still an unpleasant term most commonly applied to women, for example a woman who makes a drama out of anything which annoys her, or teenage girls who get emotional when they see their idol.

Some view this kind of behaviour as foolish, crazy, but it’s just a way to express oneself and people really don’t understand.

CoolTan Arts Women’s Poetry Group proposes a different ‘cure’ for ‘hysteria’. A revolutionary method: they choose to write poetry to express their emotions.

Are they hysterical women?

Do they need a cure?

After all, to be hysterical is to be yourself, expressing your pain and fantasy, your hopes and fears ...is it wrong to be yourself? And can ‘hysteria’ be a cure for ‘hysteria’?

Local

Ann Fenn takes a nostalgic look at the development of arts organisations within the borough of Southwark.

In the second half of the twentieth century most cultural and commercial attractions of London - the theatres, art galleries, museums, monuments and shops - were north of the River Thames.

There were some exceptions near Waterloo on the South Bank - such as the Royal Festival Hall (a legacy of the 1951 Festival of Britain) and, adjacent to it, the Hayward Gallery, opened in 1968. Nearby, there was the Old Vic, home to the National Theatre from its founding in 1963 until 1976 when it moved to its new riverside building. There was also the Imperial War Museum, and further out, Dulwich Picture Gallery and Greenwich Maritime Museum. But, in general, once you crossed a bridge over the Thames, you were in another city, another London.

This is a brief look at how one part of South London has changed.

The Borough of Southwark, so close to the West End and the City, was a working class, industrial, inner-city area sixty years ago. After the last World War, the wharves along the river were still busy; there were warehouses, factories and workshops of all kinds, tenement blocks, newer council flats, old terraces, pubs, markets and empty bomb sites. South London had its own vibrant, working class, grassroots identity, but it was not, by and large, a place for culture hunters or tourists.

Changes were coming, though, and the first of these, in the early 1970’s, was brutal: the docks closed. The use of containers for

“through North Southwark, from Waterloo to Rotherhithe, there were unused commercial buildings and derelict land.”

shipping meant bigger ships had to use big container ports down river. The old urban docks and riverside wharves suddenly became silent. Southwark had lost its main industry and, apart from the difficult and disheartening effect of this on the local community, all through North Southwark, from the Waterloo area to Rotherhithe, there were unused commercial buildings and derelict land.

When a traditional industry ends or moves from a central London area, a fairly fast regeneration process usually occurs; either by large scale redevelopment, or by small enterprises, art and community organisations moving into the suddenly available, cheap, or even free, properties. If the latter scenario occurs, the area is soon perceived as interesting and starts going upmarket, becoming a desirable place for restaurants and retail outlets, and for social and residential use. This is what happened in Covent Garden, Spitalfields and Clerkenwell. It didn’t happen in Southwark or at least not quickly.

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Now, the north of Southwark is a popular destination for people seeking art, theatre, entertainment, music and dining. But it was very slow to get its renaissance. Parts of it lay dormant from the 70’s through to the 90’s - London Bridge and Borough were bleak and deserted at night. Bankside, long past its glory days of Elizabethan and Jacobean lowlife and theatre, had a dark, almost hostile feel.

Bermondsey’s warehouses were unused or in some cases demolished.

The area was popular with film and television crews seeking run-down locations - murky alleys, semi-derelict riverside buildings and so on (See The Sweeney, The Professionals or London’s Burning). But Southwark wasn’t a place to go for any entertainment or cultural activity - it was south, over the river, out of sight, out of mind - not interesting.

Gradually, though, things began to change.

New art, theatre and community projects started to grow in the borough, or transplanted themselves into Southwark when they lost their bases in other parts of London. In 1980, the Bubble Theatre, a Camden-based touring company specialising in outdoor children’s theatre and community based projects, found fertile soil for its development in Elephant Lane in Rotherhithe.

Other arts organisations started to find the relative cheapness and availability of Southwark’s commercial properties an

attraction. Among the new shoots that started to grow were art galleries, music venues and design studios. In Rotherhithe, Sands Film Studio moved in 1976 into a converted warehouse, and, in 1979, the Brunel Museum opened in the 19th century engine room alongside. Several small theatres started up The Southwark Playhouse, The Union Theatre, The Blue Elephant Theatre and The Peckham Theatre. Meanwhile, Sam Wanamaker, based in a crumbling warehouse in Bankside, was struggling to get finance and to make people believe that a new Globe Theatre would rise on a nearby empty riverside plot.

“After the Millennium the areas near the river really started to buzz.”

The turning point for the north of Southwark was perhaps in 1989 when the foundations of the Elizabethan Rose Theatre were uncovered by archaeologists beside Southwark Bridge - this seemed to symbolise the idea of regeneration and reclaimed Bankside as a place for people to come to.

Slowly, all along the south side of the Thames from the Oxo Tower to Rotherhithe, warehouses were being renovated into studio style flats. The conversion of Butler’s Wharf next to Tower Bridge included up-market restaurants and The Design Museum.

But it was the big, expensive projects that finally made the south side of the river take off. First, there was the new National Theatre building beside Waterloo Bridge. Coming into use in 1976, it was an uncompromisingly modern concrete structure (which Prince

Local Charles compared to a nuclear power station).

But it worked, and brought high quality theatre and appreciative audiences across the river.

In the Millennium year, Tate Modern opened in Bankside, using another big brute of a building - a disused postwar power station.

But again, it worked, and it brings crowds over the river. Close to it, and dwarfed by it, is the successful reconstructed Globe theatre which opened in l997. And, of course, the Jubilee Line Extension, operational from 1999 was a big factor in opening up North Southwark.

After the Millennium the areas near the river really started to buzz. More art galleries, shops and food outlets moved in. Two more theatres opened - the Menier Chocolate Factory, using a converted chocolate factory in Southwark Street, and a new, purpose-built theatre in Tooley Street for Unicorn Theatre, the major producer of theatre for children and young adults. The railway arches under London Bridge Station and the tracks leading to it hosted performance spaces, late night music venues and more art galleries. Borough Market, with its farmers and specialist food stalls, became surrounded by cafes, restaurants, bars and wine merchants. London Bridge and places nearby, became busy day and night with people seeking art, entertainment and places to eat, drink and socialise.

Streets further from the river started hotting up, especially in parts of Bermondsey. Zandra Rhodes opened the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey Street in 2003, and in 2011, White Cube’s third, and largest, London

gallery took over a huge 1970’s warehouse there. Parts of Bermondsey Square, that had been bombed during the war and were used by the long established Friday antique market, were redeveloped into a complex containing a hotel, a cinema, a supermarket, two restaurants and an up-market bookshop. In fact, Bermondsey, so near the city, was quietly growing into a really hot property location.

Now we have a thriving arts and cultural scene in North Southwark and a growing and diverse residential community. What happens next?

The building of the towering Shard and the massive redevelopment of London Bridge Station have cleared out the railway arches under the station and lines from it. Music and performance venues, a theatre, galleries, studios, restaurants, bars have gone - even the London Dungeon has gone! All these projects and businesses brought people to what had once been a bleak corner of London and helped to change it. Will the loss of the arches, and the chaos of redevelopment affect the atmosphere of the area? Will the rising cost of property make it hard for new projects to get going?

Find out what the future may hold for the area in the next instalment of Southwark Tales.

Liz Innes

Liz Innes

On a busy Wednesday lunchtime at CoolTan Arts, I caught up with artist Liz Innes over a cup of tea and a sandwich. Having seen her work in the recent CURRANT BUN exhibition, I was keen to find out more about Liz, her art, her background and her inspiration. Annie Spinster ‘I did O level art at school and enjoyed it but after that I went into the sciences and became a doctor. After I took early retirement my interest in art was rekindled. In recent years I have produced art at the Coplestone Centre and, for the last seven or eight years, at CoolTan Arts as part of the Women Make Art group and the Batik group.

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Artists Profile

Clockwise: Orange And Black - Acrylic on canvas Psychedelic Trees - Tissue collage on canvas Boats - Acrylic on canvas

‘I can see how far I have progressed and am keen to progress further’

Media And Technique ‘I like working in lots of different media but at the moment I am particularly enjoying creating work with pen and ink and coloured wash, I’ve been using them a lot over recent months.

‘I drew some Victorian scenes for The Dickens News exhibitions last year and more recently I have been creating compositions of flowers, drawn from photographs in gardening magazines. This is how my picture, Multicolour Flowers, in the CURRANT BUN exhibition was created.’

Liz tells me more about her favourite techniques: ‘I begin by tearing out pictures of flowers that I like from the magazines and then draw them in pencil, creating a composition on the paper.

‘Once I get the composition right in pencil, I start drawing outlines and textures with Indian ink. My tutor, Georgina, encouraged me to try drawing with sharpened wooden sticks instead of a pen nib. I like this technique as I find the sticks easier to control and you can sharpen the points into different shapes for different effects.

Then comes the part I most enjoy: working with the coloured inks. I’ve got about 16 different coloured inks and I like to mix them to create any shade I want. One of the other women in the group was using white ink so I bought some of that to try. It’s very good for adding accents to parts of an image.’

Top: Multicolour Flowers - Pen & ink on paper Middle: Derelict Trees Inspired By Paul Nash - Chalk Pastel Bottom: Rainbow Window - Acrylic on canvas

Artists Profile Batik We move on to discuss batik, another large part of Liz’s practice: ‘I recently batiked a long piece of material, I started by waxing large zigzags down the fabric, then I dyed it a medium lilac colour. Next, I waxed large dots in between the zigzags and finally dyed the fabric a deep purple. The finished fabric is a deep purple background with cream zigzags and lilac dots. I’m still unsure about what sort of garment I’m going to make it into. I am hoping a volunteer will be able to help me with a pattern. I’m thinking maybe a tunic for summer, if we ever get any summer!

Inspiration I next ask Liz who inspires her work: ‘One artist whose work I am very keen on is Van Gogh. I like the colours he uses and the way he creates textures. I also really like Matisse’s work, especially his cut-out collages. I like the patterns he creates and the colours he uses.

‘Georgina is a great tutor; she’s very good at moving me on from one thing to the next while still allowing me to use the techniques I enjoy. I really enjoy the Women Make Art group. Some people you get to know really well over the years and others come and go. I don’t object to mixed groups but having a women only art group makes it a little bit different and special.’

Where next?

Finally, I am keen to know where Liz’s art will take her next: ‘I have been branching out recently, designing greetings cards for CoolTan. I started with a few Christmas cards.

Michelle saw some of these and asked me to do some seasonal winter cards as well.

‘I feel much more excited about my work now than I did before. I can see how far I have progressed and I am keen to progress further. I would love to go to art college if I ever had the means and money to go.’

‘One artist whose work I am very keen on is Van Gogh’ Above: Tartan with a twist and Flamenco skirt-Batik Right: Women And Children No.5 and Women And Children No.6 - Lino print on paper

By Jill Spencer Summer is an appropriate time of year to take a look at St John’s Wort a herb which has been used since ancient times for mental well being.

From the time of the Ancient Greeks, the herb was believed to ward off evil spirits and demons: the explanation through most of history for various forms of mental distress.

Hypericum perforatum, to give it its Latin name, is a perennial plant with bright yellow flowers which grows wild throughout most of the world. The plant gained its association with St John during the Middle Ages in England because it flowers around the time of the feast of St John - the Summer Solstice and because when the flowers are rubbed, it exudes a deep red sap which early Christians believed was symbolic of the blood of St John.

The plant’s association with the Solstice led to many magical uses. Sprigs of the herb were brought into the house on Midsummer’s Eve to ward off evil, protect houses from fire and to ensure nobody would die in the coming year.

13th century manuscripts from Schola Medica Salternita, the world’s first medical school in Southern Italy, refer to St. John’s Wort as ‘herba demonis fuga’, or the herb that chases away the devil. One of its common names, ‘devil’s scourge’ continues to reflect this belief through the next few hundred years when it was used by herbalists and wise women to cure melancholia or ‘troubled spirits’.

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In recent times, the use of St John’s Wort has undergone a revival and contemporary research shows that our ancestors were right: St John’s Wort can work just as well as prescription antidepressants for depression and mild anxiety.

Extensive research has been carried out in Germany since the 1980’s which has found St John’s Wort to be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. A recent Cochrane review has found that ‘... the Hypericum extracts tested in the included trials a) are superior to placebo in patients with major depression; b) are similarly effective as standard antidepressants; and c) have fewer side-effects than standard antidepressants.’

(Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L (2008).)

During week four of treatment, I began to feel a little better...things were easier to cope with...

My Experience with St John’s Wort I started taking St John’s Wort in January of this year when I felt my mood was generally lower than it should be. I have a long history of depressive episodes, some lasting over a year, and have tried several prescription drugs and numerous talking therapies at various times in my life. I was not keen to go down the route of prescribed medication this time

Well being round as I have found the side effects can be uncomfortable, especially in the first few weeks, and I have had a difficult time coming off the drugs when the time came. I decided to give St John’s Wort a try for a few weeks and if it didn’t work, I would then get a prescription for conventional medication.

I started off taking two 333mg tablets a day and they took a while to do anything at all, however I experienced no side effects so I stuck with it. During week four of treatment, I began to feel a little better - still not cheerful, but things were easier to cope with and, always a good sign for me, I found I was getting more done. I then increased the dose to three tablets a day and the difference was remarkable! I found myself waking up and looking forward to the day for the first time in a long while. Problems in my life felt more like challenges which I at last felt I had the energy to meet. I have continued on this dose since then and will probably stay on St John’s Wort for a few more months at least. Many people use it for years with no ill effects and, while only anecdotal evidence exists, it is not associated with the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms of SSRI based medication.

How to take St John’s Wort First, see your doctor. This is especially important if you are on any other medication or if you are not sure whether you have depression. St John’s Wort is known to react badly with many other drugs, including prescription antidepressants and hormonal medications like the contraceptive pill and HRT. St John’s Wort is not suitable for people with bipolar disorder or psychosis as it can make these conditions worse, so make sure you have a proper diagnosis.

If you are severely depressed or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, always seek medical help.

The suggested dose for St John’s Wort is 200 – 1000mg a day of hypericum extract, standardised to 0.3%, usually split into two or three doses. Different brands contain different amounts of the extract so you will need to read the packaging carefully to decide how many to take. Once you have found a product that suits you, it is best to stick to it and not change

brands. Most people stay on the herb for six months or more. You will need to buy St John’s Wort as it is not usually available on prescription. Price varies widely with the best deals being found online. If you are on a low income this could be a major consideration.

Owing to a recent EU directive, St John’s Wort is becoming very difficult to find in a standardised dose. However many people report good results from the non-standardised St John’s Wort preparations that are available in large chemists and health food stores, sold as ‘food supplements’, and even from just drinking St John’s Wort tea regularly. If you are simply experiencing mild low mood, these are definitely worth a try.

Side effects are not as common and are much milder than with SSRI drugs – the most commonly prescribed antidepressants – but may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, tiredness or dizziness. More rarely, it may cause an allergic skin rash or photosensitivity: an increased likelihood of burning in the sun. If you experience side effects, stop taking St John’s Wort and see a doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Always tell your doctor or other medical practitioner that you are taking St John’s Wort if they are prescribing something else for you. It may be a natural herb, but it is a powerful medication, which is why it works!

With a little common sense, St John’s Wort could be the key to bringing back sunshine to your life.

When to see your doctor: ● If you are on any other medication ● If you are not sure that what you have is depression ● If you are severely depressed or experiencing suicidal thoughts ● If you experience any side effects

Disclaimer: This article is for general interest only. CoolTan Arts stresses that any medication, herbal or otherwise, should only be taken on the advice of a qualified medical practitioner.

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Darling Clementine!

Clementine, you’re wicked, wicked, my old fruit, You lure me to touch you, you devil of fruit From the ancient garden of god – And be tactile to you inside out The pressing, the caressing The stroking of your curves And making me stiff, sniff You with warm passions Your scent betraying bit by bit Into an aromatic burst out Am I getting too fond While fondling your soft parts; Am I getting too eager To know, to pinpoint To unravel the mysteries Of your secrets of heart that oozes out Cloaking the truth The syrup-screened acid, Quintessential toxic ruth?

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© Sasha Dee

Competition

Postcards On The Wall It could be raining in Venice.

The extra-ordinary light and pomp Of regal parade, 17th century Grand Canal, yes, grand, worth inordinate Millions because the Master grew too old And 18th century Naples, It could be raining in Naples, Here’s the wall, with an ordinary-sounding name, This scene has barely changed its worth.

Postcards on the wall Lean above the young be-sweatered Dylan, an orange-curled distracted portent, yes, It’s raining outside. Nostalgia’s Gravelines disturb peace at Grand Forte-Philippe. © Philip Ruthen 2012 poem from Apple Eye Feat, Waterloo Press (Hove)

Poetry Competition An artistic prize quiz for the summer, topically with rain included…

Can you name any of the artists and/or paintings referenced in the above poem from Phil Ruthen’s recent poetry collection? There are at least 3 - there’s your clue.

A prize for the most offered, 1 point for accurate answers, plus ½ point awarded for reasonable guesses and, at the judge’s discretion, outrageous but amusing attempts. Winner announced in the next magazine edition.

Please email your answers and include your name, address & contact details to: cooltanmagazine@gmail.com Closing Date: Midnight Monday 27th August 2013

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Breathe

By Janita Chooramun People have often suggested these two things to me when I have been going through stressful or anxious moments. It’s so easy to not even think about being able to stop and relax when life places you under pressure.

Stress and anxiety usually arise when our emotions and mind don’t understand what’s happening. When we are going through this, breathing is usually the last thing we are thinking about as our mind and emotions are focused on something else. Often our breathing is shallow, fast and erratic during periods of stress.

I made a decision to try relaxation and focused breathing exercises and see if it could help me to get through those challenging moments that I was facing daily.

The first and simplest one I tried was a deep breathing exercise. Slow, regular breathing is itself a sign of relaxation and was a good place to start.

1

Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose. Fill up your lungs. Push out your stomach and fill it up with as much air as possible.

2

Hold your breath for a second or two.

3

Then exhale slowly (through your mouth) and think only of the word ‘relax’

4

Repeat the entire sequence 5 to 10 times, concentrating only on your breath going in and out of your body and stomach slowly.

The great thing about this technique is that you can do it anytime in any place. It has begun to help me relax and focus when I need to even if it’s only a few long deep breaths.

You can even use it to help reduce stress while it is happening. Practise this routine in advance, even on good days, and you will find that you will then be able use it when you need it most. I find myself trying it in all sorts of situations; on a packed train, when walking outdoors, waiting in queues, at the bus stop or even when I’m food shopping!

Don’t worry if you find it difficult to relax at first, it will come with practise. Although the causes of the stress won’t disappear, this breathing technique will help you feel more able to deal with things once you’ve released the tension in your body and cleared your thoughts.

If you try this out, let us know if you find it useful. Or better still, if you have any other good techniques of your own that you would like to share please send them in.

43 Image: Northern Lights by Marjorie McLean

What’s Cooking?

Now we’ve settled in to our lovely new building we are starting to make the most of our fantastic Community Kitchen. Purpose built and fully accessible, the kitchen has already been extremely useful when catering for events and we have just launched the CoolTan Cooking Club – Better Food for Better Mood.

and allerg s t ie d ll a r b caters fo lu c g ources so i in s k e r o o d c e it e h m ‘T king with li body who want o o c s a ll e as w join for any o t p u o r g d cheaply.’ n a y il a great h lt a t he learn to ea er Volunte Sarah -

‘I wan from s time. I’d Wenham

Specially designed to support people on low incomes who often don’t have proper cooking facilities, the club is a friendly, social environment for participants to cook together and share food. There is also the chance to shop for ingredients together and get a bargain.

A monthly visiting nutritionist gives the group advice about weight maintenance, diet to manage health conditions, medication and food interactions.

If you are interested in attending please contact Sara Kelly: sara@cooltanarts.org.uk Tel: 020 7701 2696.

arn to e l o t oping entually I h m ’ I . y v y toda ew dishes. E n dishes a d t s r fi n ia ‘It’s my of different of my Niger ts ne cook lo e to share o lik would ipant

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nt to learn to c scratch, no ook a basic proper m t just egg eal and chips like to lear all th n how to p repare a m e eal for visitors.’

- Partic ipant

I s.’

A uniquely creative cookbook from CoolTan Arts, which will inspire you to cook and eat well - whatever your mood!

Serving up recipes and stories that reflect heritages from all over the globe, Food for Mood has something for everyone, from warming Eritrean stew to nourishing Turkish salad, from spicy pepe soup to fajitas, moussaka and real Moroccan couscous. There are raw juices, sweet treats, foods for a picnic and easy one-pot recipes.

CoolTan Books - £9.99

45

Fish and Courgette Ribbon Salad From Pablo Antoli

This is a really quick, low-fat salad. It’s great on its own as a healthy light lunch, and it looks quite beautiful on the plate.

(serves 2) 250g cooked fish (e.g. sea bass, tuna, mackerel) 2 large courgettes 4 tomatoes, cut into wedges For the dressing 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp soy sauce 1 clove of garlic, crushed 2 tbsp capers Black pepper Wash the courgettes, then top and tail. Use a vegetable peeler to slice them into long thin ribbons. Place these into a shallow serving dish, salt the ribbons and let them sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse, squeeze out the excess liquid, and pat dry.

To make the dressing, whisk together the lemon juice, mustard, olive oil and soy sauce, then add the crushed garlic and capers, and season to taste with pepper.

Place the courgette ribbons on a plate with the tomatoes and big chunks of fish.

Dress the salad with the caper dressing.

46

Food

Ursula’s Delicious Gazpacho From Maki Spanoudis

This dish is a very delicious cold soup – refreshing, healthy and (surprisingly) extremely filling. My good friend Ursula made it for my mum and me, and it was superb! You do need a blender but a simple hand-held stick-type blender only costs around £10. (serves 3) 2 cloves of garlic 250g passata 10 leaves of fresh basil 10 leaves of fresh mint 3 medium tomatoes 1 red or yellow pepper ½ a cucumber 1 small onion 2 slices dry bread Salt and pepper to taste Lemon juice (optional) Simply blend all the ingredients together, chill – et voilà!

Notes: Passata is puréed tomato and you can buy it in a carton or a can – it is very cheap

These recipes are from CoolTan Arts’ new cookbook, Food for Mood. Out now, CoolTan Books, £9.99

47

Cool Stuff Lovely things to buy from CoolTan Arts

BOOKS FROM

Diagnosis: Hysteria? Prescription: Hysteria!

Poems by the Women of CoolTan Arts CoolTan Books, price £5.99 An anthology of poems by the participants of the CoolTan Arts Women’s Poetry Group and some of the female staff and volunteers who work there.

These are poems not only about mental distress, but about love and loss, the power of the natural world, being a woman, everyday joys and woes, the beauty of language ... They experiment with form and style, finding new voices with which to express old feelings, or forging a unique poetic voice for the artist.

ORIGINAL SCREEN PRINTED DESIGNS FROM THE DICKENS NEWS PROJECT

OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE FROM COOLTAN ARTS LARGACTYL SHUFFLE

Aprons

Tea Towels

£10.00

£6.00

Backpacks £20.00

All items are available from CoolTan Arts and can be mail-ordered.

Please get in touch with sara@cooltanarts.org.uk or phone 020 7701 2696 for details of postage & packing rates.

Anthropology

Food for Mood

by the CoolTan Poets

CoolTan Books, price £9.99

CoolTan Books, price £5.99

A uniquely creative cookbook from CoolTan Arts, which will inspire you to cook and eat well whatever your mood!

An anthology of poetry by members of the poetry group at CoolTan Arts. The book encompasses a huge range of sentiments and styles, from flights of fancy to political rant, from rhyming quatrains to shards of meaning, through haiku, free verse and lyric. This is very much poetry for poetry’s sake, and there’s something for every taste. ... a book of brilliant growling poems, dandified wild work ... funny, witty, moving, political, sassy, wise - Ali Smith

Canvas Bag £5.00

Serving up recipes and stories that reflect heritages from all over the globe, Food for Mood has something for everyone, from warming Eritrean stew to nourishing Turkish salad, from spicy pepe soup to fajitas, moussaka and real Moroccan couscous.

Greetings Cards £1.95 each or 5 for £7.00

Hi Vis Vests £15.00

Brighten a loved one’s day with a CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle rucksack or hi-vis vest.

Be safe, be seen while walking or cycling.

49

Getting involved with Joining a Workshop At CoolTan Arts we offer a wide range of activities including visual arts, poetry, cooking, textiles, computer skills, walking ...Â

Volunteering at CoolTan Gain a unique experience with a lively independent Arts organisation!

Workshops are funded in different ways, so some workshops are free and open to everyone, and for others there is a fee to pay, or they are set up to support certain people.

Make friends, have fun, learn work skills and brush up on your talents in a safe, supportive environment.

If you have general questions about workshops or would like a copy of the latest timetable, you can come in and speak to our reception volunteers, or to Sara Kelly, our Admin Officer. You can also ring her on 0207 701 2696, or email sara@cooltanarts.org.uk

We usually have a wide variety of volunteering opportunities ranging from practical activities to admin and reception, graphic design to workshop assistants. We also have various volunteering roles with specific projects. There are lots of training opportunities, tailored to your volunteer role, and we pay up to ÂŁ4.40 travel expenses per day.

You will be asked to fill in a registration form before you can attend a workshop.

If you have a social worker or are with a CMHT and are interested in joining a workshop, your registration form will be passed onto Karen Unrue, Community Involvement Advocacy Coordinator: karencooltanarts@ gmail.com or phone 0207 701 2696. Karen will contact you with more info about how to start at CoolTan Arts.

Most workshops are advertised on our website: www.cooltanarts.org.uk and in our monthly newsletter, along with information about who the workshops are for and if you need to pay.

Opportunities are advertised on our website: www.cooltanarts.org.uk and in our monthly newsletter. You can also call in to CoolTan and ask to see the volunteering bulletin with all the latest roles in it.

To find out more about volunteering or to apply for a role, please contact our volunteer coordinator Clara Jones: clara@cooltanarts.org.uk or ring 020 701 2696. You will be invited to attend a Volunteer Induction Session with Clara, these are held on Mondays at 12.30pm.

CoolTan Arts welcomes volunteers with disabilities.

If you would like to sign up for the monthly newsletter (sent to your email) please contact sara@cooltanarts.org.uk or phone 0207 701 2696.

We Need Your Help!

If you have enjoyed this magazine, please consider making a donation to CoolTan Arts.

In the last year we have supported over 800 individuals face to face despite having our core funding cut by 100%.

To ensure our continuation well into the future we still need your help to enable us to continue supporting people. Just £2 a week donation from everyone on our mailing list would replace the £80,000 a year income we lost from our Service Level Agreement with the Council.

So please get involved, dig deep and donate now!

Ways to donate: • • • other

Donate securely using JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/cooltanarts Use the form below to make a one-off or monthly donation Donate by text: Simply send COOL96 £3 to 70070 to make a £3 donation, or any £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10. It’s quick and simple!

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CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity

HOW TO FIND US CoolTan Arts Third Floor 224-236 Walworth Road London SE17 1JE 020 7701 2696 or 0798 5658443 Email: info@cooltanarts.org.uk Web: www.cooltanarts.org.uk Tel:

* The nearest tube station is Elephant & Castle which is approximately a ten minute walk. *Buses from Elephant & Castle and Camberwell (get off at East Street stop) 12, 35, 40, 45, 68, 148, 171, 176, 468 & P5

*We are to the right of the main post office between a Specsavers Optician and Paul’s Discount Store. To enter the building press 6 and the bell icon. Inside there is a lift (press 3 in lift) or stairs which you can take to the third floor.

CoolTan Arts are there on the right.

CoolTan Arts Entrance

With thanks to our funders and sponsors

Member of Mental Health Providers Forum, Locality, NSUN and LAHF We are proud to have as Patrons: Arthur Smith, Maggi Hambling, Ali Smith, Clare Allen and Rosemary Shrager Registered charity number 1064231, Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales