About Start: arts and wellbeing

Start in Salford's mission is to promote emotional well-being and recovery by providing creative arts-based activities and training opportunities for people who are, or maybe at risk of experiencing mental health difficulties or social exclusion.

Start in Salford is a community arts and wellbeing charity, based in our fully equipped arts studio and workshop complex at the heart of Salford. Our vision is to create a centre of excellence that enables individuals to develop their aspirations, confidence, self esteem and skills, using the arts and other creative mediums renowned for their therapeutic benefits.

Start in Salford helps to remove the stigma around mental ill health by fostering a common interest amongst individuals from all walks of life.

Start in Salford provides arts training and opportunities for people of all ages encouraging the development of an individual’s artistic ability in a creative and supportive environment. We run weekly studio-based workshops, outreach projects and residencies, an educational and a cultural programme as well as exhibitions, markets and events throughout the year.

Professional artists are regularly invited to run specialist workshops with members as part of its visiting artists programme. Start actively seeks commissions and creative opportunities for members, providing genuine and valuable work experience.

Arts and mental health

Research undertaken in recent years shows that people with mental health needs receive significant benefits from taking part in arts activities. The benefits to mental health vary depending on the individual but are found to include; improved confidence and self-acceptance, an improved sense of pride and achievement and an alleviation of worries and responsibilities.

A study carried out by Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Central Lancashire and South Essex Partnership NHS foundation trust, found that: participants who took part in art programmes experienced improvements to their mental health, social inclusion and their sense of empowerment with decreased mental distress after participating in the art projects, leading to wider aspirations and opportunities for those with mental health needs.