What We Do
Arts on prescription
For adults living with mental health challenges or a long-term health condition, we are a creative space for them to recover because of the experience of the artists, the relaxed atmosphere, and the personalised approach.
We run arts programmes for anyone registered with a doctor in Gloucestershire or Wiltshire and is …
… living with mental health challenges like depression and anxiety
… managing long-term conditions like chronic pain, chronic fatigue, or ME
… living with or moving on from cancer
We are a specialist creative health charity providing arts on prescription with proven health benefits for people registered with a GP in Gloucestershire or Wiltshire.
These creative groups are free for participants. Materials are provided and/or our Artists encourage re-use of materials found around the house or garden.
Most require a referral from either a Gloucestershire or Wiltshire health professional or social prescriber. To bring down barriers to our Flourish (cancer) and Wiltshire programmes during these difficult times, people can now also self-refer to those courses.
Artlift is different from Art Therapy
We provide a safe space where our experienced and trained artists use creativity to positively impact on the mental and/or physical wellbeing of each person who joins us. The focus is on the activity and/or the social interaction, not on the person’s medical condition.
Most of our participants join groups, usually with a maximum of twelve people, alongside an Artlift Artist. Groups meet for about two hours per week for ten weeks to just do and explore art together.
Artlift also provides a limited number of places per term for participants who face more complex health challenges, or who are unable to work with us online.
The type of art and the activities vary; the emphasis is on creativity rather than technical ability and participants can choose a group that suits their schedule and interests. No skill, talent or experience in art is needed.
We currently run the following courses:
Are you a Gloucestershire or Wiltshire health of social prescribing professional?
GPs and other professionals can refer people for a course of art either alongside or instead of medication and other interventions. Artlift also welcomes conversations with potential residency partners.
How to take part
Our courses are free for participants but require a referral from either a Gloucestershire or Wiltshire health professional, or for some courises a self-referral form. Participants must have a confirmed place before attending.
Are you a Gloucestershire or MPCC GP or health practitioner?
GPs and other health professionals can refer people for a course of art either alongside or instead of medication and other interventions.
Artlift is also looking for GPs or health practitioners interested in hosting Artlift Residencies.
