Service users at the Tamarind Centre in Birmingham in May of this year staged a creative
showcase following a series of workshops provided by The Red Earth Collective.
The showcase, which was watched by staff and friends of the service users, was part of a
wider programme by The Red Earth Collective in partnership with the psychology team at
the Tamarind Centre, which aimed to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes around
mental health whilst supporting the mental health and well-being of service users.
The workshops included the use of theatre, music, African drumming, spoken word and
podcast. Debates enabled the individuals involved to express themselves, build new skills
and improve their confidence, as well as build connections with their peers.
Feedback from service users and staff at the Tamarind Centre was overwhelmingly positive.
The service users expressed how amazing it was to witness each other gain confidence in
such a way that others who had not been to workshop sessions, felt empowered to join their
peers and perform too.
One of the service users said:
“I really hope the sessions continue, I’ve enjoyed attending and even if some of the sessions
I thought [weren't] for me, I attended to get off the ward and got involved and enjoyed
myself. I found that I stepped out of my comfort zone and it felt good.”
Another said: “This has been good for our mental health- we need more.”
One of the staff at Tamarind Centre said:
“The atmosphere was fantastic, and it felt as if something special was happening for both the
men performing and for all of us attending. In the 38 years of working and mental health, it
was one of the most enjoyable afternoons, both [because of] the performances, but also to
be able to watch the men engage, enjoy and take control.”
Shaz Jones, Red Earth Collective Project Co-ordinator said:
"I love a challenge, like when I see the men who only come to get out of the ward and then
realise they are actually having a great laugh out loud experience and then go on to perform
in front of their peers that's when I know I've done my job".
The Tamarind Centre in Bordesley Green, Birmingham is an 89-bed male medium secure
facility that provides assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for men who have been
assessed as needing care in a medium secure environment, and also offers specialist
services for complex, challenging and long term care.
The Creative Beginnings programme works with and supports patients and service users of
psychiatric units to produce new creative work, such as music, spoken word, creative writing,
and other artistic mediums.
The programme at the Tamarind was funded by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS
Foundation Trust.
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