16th March 2012

CHARD: Support group moves into film

Having already produced a book on recovery stories, Chard Intentional Peer Support Group have now released their new documentary video on You Tube, explaining how they aim to reach out to socially isolated adults in the town and provide them with new skills and friendship.

The group of adults who are recovering from various forms of mental illness formed a community interest company WATCH (Working All Together in Chard) project, last summer.

WATCH, they say, is there to not just to help those suffering with mental health issues but any form of social isolation and give them confidence to go out into society.

The six-minute documentary shows some of the activities volunteers participate in on a weekly basis, including carpentry, art and crafts and creative writing. The film is also available as a promotional DVD.

Arts facilitator Kirsty Cridge has been helping the group since November 2010 while working at Sainsburys and taking a university course in fine art at Somerset College. She did her dissertation on how art benefits adult mental health and, thanks to a donation of clay from the college and the use of their kiln, has been helping the group make pinch pots and trinkets. She said: “I would like to work in a therapeutic way with art. We really need some good paper, more paints and other art materials here.”

Group member Samantha Mutton, who works part time at Superdrug, said she loved coming to the group because of the social aspect and cross section of ages as well as the creative activities. Jenny Collins, who works as a cleaner an Numatic, suffers from hearing loss which can be very isolating. She said: “I like making things too and meeting people for chats. We are all equal here.”

Volunteer coordinator and group founder Julie Matthews said it was an exciting time for the group with lots happening and more on the horizon. They hope to have a website next and are desperately seeking someone who would like to share office space.

Chard Intentional Peer Support Group holds a mental health information point at the Guildhall front desk every Tuesday from 1pm - 5pm. The WATCH Project is currently at the Chard Young Peopleís Centre every Thursday from 11am-1pm with hopes for expansion to two days a week. The WATCH Project video can be seen at http://youtu.be/ynIT3P8YGdg

PICTURE: CONTENTED CRAFTERS - WATCH members Samantha Mutton and Jenny Collins with arts facilitator Kirsty Cridge

CHARD: Support group moves into film

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