For the past four years, we have put together virtual exhibitions for our Members’ Events, featuring creative pieces by folks in our network, including photography, drawings, and poetry. This year, we’re doing the same again. The idea is to have somewhere bringing together artwork by people with lived experience of mental ill-health, distress, or trauma in the UK.
Please note that images, videos and words below may be subject to copyright – please do not reuse any of the works below without permission.
Carina Edwards
Carina Edwards has Bipolar Disorder type I. She has worked in the mental health sector for 15 years. She’s been detained many times under the Mental Health Act. She has an MA in Arts, Health and Wellbeing. She has done extensive lived experience work for organisations such as Mind, The British Psychological Society, the McPin Foundation and others. She has created 4 virtual art exhibitions for Recovery Partners, Brighton, showcasing work created in community art sessions for people living with mental distress. She volunteers for Bipolar UK and is a trustee of mental health charity Wish. Instagram: @edwards.carina.
Phil Coldicott
These photographs by Phil Coldicott were the inspiration for a new mural on the corner of Arden Street and Greenhill Street in Stratford-upon-Avon by Michael Batchelor.
Heather Cobb
‘Title: Salus Populi (Welfare of the People.) by Heather Cobb, August 2024.
This is a tetrapak print made from an old carton. I was so inspired by the counter protestor at Southport, who still remains anonymous. Her presence in a hostile crowd really moved me this August. Salus Populi is the Southport motto and for me, this person embodied that. I make linocut and tetrapak etchings in West Yorkshire and I’m also an NSUN member whose project recieved support in 2024. Our Alternatives to Suicide group has been here for 150 people so far – in no small way – due to NSUNs support.’
Finn Dobson
Finn (they/them) is a queer, non-binary and disabled self-taught artist based in Leeds. Working predominantly with poetry and fibre arts, they enjoy using a mixture of methods and mediums, including found objects. Inspired by the long history of textile arts in social justice movements – as well as by their love of language – their work often features text and slogans that highlight issues related to marginalisation, disability, queerness, and identity. Instagram: @raw_edges_
GMJ
Artwork title: “when you’re being mean to me this is who you’re being mean to”
I’d come to the realisation that a huge source of mental distress was due to the labels and narratives other people (“professionals”) have given me, when really I’m just here wanting to look a cute cats most of the time. I decided to let myself be silly and fully embrace the child part of me and do a little cat doodle with crayons to get it out of my system. It was oddly therapeutic and I would do it again! Instagram: @sadboyarts_.
Tim Adwick
Hi I’m Tim I’ve battled with my mental health, with a diagnosis of CPTSD as well as long term health conditions and disabilities, but photography is something that helps me to express myself but also helps with calming my mind. I’m on Instagram and Facebook, and I’ve also used my lived experience and founded a mental health peer support group that uses photography to support individuals, Mindscapes which you can find on Instagram here.
Erica B Donaldson-Ellison
Poem Number 37
Childhood Hurt
27/8/2016
Collecting
sheets of memories
sorting
every page
Photographs of tortured touches
Never
Should have
Existed
the author
tries to rub it out
to ease the pain away
Writing is not
an exercise
where, pity
is sought
It is only an
Honest attempt to
forgive and to release
the facts
to headline
The growth of pain
Where
Chapters of life
were underlined
with
contained stifled
Secreted, inward screams
of hurt
Where
were the protectors?
Where, an adult champion?
A knight?
Who should have
timely risen?
Erupted with indignation
to save
Innocence;
to battle
Against the corruption of
a child’s right to
Simpler pastimes.
Surely
Memories cannot be
erased?
But these must be at first
forgiven
so that
a beginning may be made
Towards that destination
In learning to
Forgive
Ourselves
and allowing us to
learn to forgive
offending others.
I am a poet, author, blogger and podcaster and Wellness Ambassador (NY). My work appears for charities, newsletters, books and in Lancashire library (UK). I work with artists *SpotTimeSpotHTime and am the author of ‘Searching for an Oasis and Beginning to Grow‘. You can find out more about me here.
Lorna Smart
Broken
There is no rhythm to my life
You took it with you when you took my wife.
My heart is broken in two
What did I ever do to you?
There’s no reason to go on living
Yet my heart goes on giving.
Blood to my brain
Despite all the pain.
You took the music from my life.
And gave me silence and strife
Now there’s no beat
No rhythm
No
Point.
Lorna Smart has been writing poetry and short stories since she was nine. Words have helped her with the bouts of depression she has had over the years. She is a passionate creator who started writing her first novel in 2022. You can find her website here and following her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Ann Diment
You don’t know me
You don’t know me so who are you to judge?
Your arrogance and ignorance in saying I’m ’too much’
When peeking out from behind the mask that I use to keep me safe
If I dare to show my feelings, you tell me to my face:
‘Stop making a fuss.
Too emotional, just nuts.
Too sensitive, lighten up’.
Well goodbye! Your time is up!
I’m tired of the gaslighting
When I challenge the status quo.
Telling me there’s nothing wrong,
The cracks are starting to show.
If I call you out I’m argumentative
Causing a fuss, calm down!
Well, this isn’t how I want to live.
Please let me out before I drown.
I’m learning to swim, not sink you see.
Understanding my brain works differently.
The shame and fear and guilt are gone.,,
If you don’t like the real me, it’s time to move on!
‘Stop making a fuss.
Too emotional, just nuts.
Too sensitive, lighten up.’
Well goodbye! Your time is up!
Too many years of my life have been lost.
Thinking I’m broken, depressed, at what cost?
Decades of suffering, anxious and low
Not understanding why, how to fit in, so
‘Stop making a fuss.
Too emotional, just nuts.
Too sensitive, lighten up.’
Well goodbye! Your time is up!
It’s time to unmask, and find my safety,
with people who understand what it means to be me.
But friendship is difficult with a brain wired like mine,
that creates heartbreak and loneliness time after time,
When the differences get noticed and you just don’t fit in.
One minute a friend, next consigned to the bin.
‘Stop making a fuss.
Too emotional, just nuts.
Too sensitive, lighten up’
Well goodbye! Your time is up!
Rejection sensitivity, hormonal events
PTSD and depression conspire to prevent,
close friendships to form, or survive for too long,
As being let down so often feels so wrong.
Stop making a fuss.
Too emotional, just nuts.
Too sensitive, lighten up
Well goodbye! Your time is up!
So, I learned self-reliance, don’t depend on anyone.
Focus on special interests, the stuff I do for fun,
To regulate the nervous system, create
Calming flow.
To make up for the wiring differences that we now know
Reduce the happy hormones I can naturally produce,
An affect emotional regulation, make me feel no use.
So,
I’m making a fuss,
Feeling emotions takes guts.
I’m sensitive- great friend,
no longer co- dependent
Stopped seeking validation from outside of me.
Accepting I have happiness inside you see.
I’m learning to stand up and love all of me,
Unmasking, and proud to be ADHD!
Creating art to start conversations about wellbeing, inclusion, and trauma recovery, I use my practice to support my own mental health and encourage others to be creative in all forms. You can find me on Instagram, Tumblr and via my website.
Lester
Fuzzer
Journey home
Get a Grip
Lester, 52 is Nottingham born and bred. He studied art and design up to BTEC level until his early twenties. He considers himself mainly self taught from then on. He began experimenting with acrylic paint and masking tape in the mid to late 2000s. A common theme in his work is the idea of the vortex; The point of maximum energy, the eye of the storm.
Lester is an electronic music producer who has had his work exhibited internationally. He has done performance poetry and is also an accomplished drummer.
Steph Clark
Steph is a 43-year-old award-winning mental health advocate, writer and illustrator specialising in mental illness, mental health and being a chronic pain survivor (or spoonie).
Due to her own mental and physical health difficulties she hasn’t left her house for 3.5 years, so she’s used some of her pain-free time positively by creating campaigns, articles, artwork, 2 websites and a blog all about life with mental illness. She promotes simple ideas for better physical and mental well-being using creativity and talks honestly about life with a genetic, chronic condition (Hypermobile EDS), the impact of Long Covid, and being an ambulatory wheelchair user. She lives in the South East with her partner, daughter and grumpy but brilliant dog.
Jee
Wrong Door! Wrong Care! Wrong Person!
Leah Smith
Hi! I’m Leah (pronouns: they/them) and I have been venturing the path of my mental health recovery journey for 5 years. In the last 18 months I’ve learned that I am autistic and live with coeliac disease, which has given me more opportunity to learn about the way my body and mind works and how I can best be my own biggest supporter. Recovering from an eating disorder is a bumpy and wavy road, but I know I’m not alone on my travels. I have amazing people by my side and I get to turn to digital or pencil art to express my thoughts and emotions, which helps me feel connected to my authentic self and the beautiful world around me. I have an Instagram account – @bumbleeleah.
I work as a Peer Trainer in my local NHS Trust – this happens to be my proudest achievement – using my experiences and passion to educate and support others. Sharing our stories and experiences is healing for those of us who tell them and those of us who hear them. I encourage you to share yours in whatever way feels empowering, authentic, and joyful.
Lyndsay Andrews
Hi I’m Lyndsay, I have been using Art to support my mental wellbeing since the pandemic. My second daughter was born very early, since then I have been supporting families, who have had traumatic journeys or who have struggled with their mental health around having their family. My day job includes going onto Neonatal units to support parents and gather feedback in order to improve services and so art helps me process some of these difficult conversations. I also run creative workshops focussing on mental wellbeing. You can view my Littlest Things Facebook page here, and explore my website here.
Tony Fisher
I have been creating art since 1973 and now at 70 it is so very important to engage with art and nature. I am now involved with living well collaborations in Derbyshire NHS involving art and non art interventions, I am multi divergent. I currently have a show as part of air arts based at Derby hospital, this one is at Burton Upon Trent hospital until May 2025.