Mansfield Museum are starting the new year with exciting news about funding enabling them to create a two-year project aimed at empowering local women at risk to take positive control of their lives.
Creative Women Together will be a coordinated, holistic and therapeutic project giving vulnerable or at risk women a special creative experience that they can be proud of. They will engage with Mansfield Museum’s paintings, jewellery and ceramics collection and participate in visual arts, made possible with £89,680 funding granted by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (opens in new window).
This programme of work will be a first for Mansfield District Council’s Cultural Services in its ambition to achieving social and health impacts. It will also be part of a series of social prescribing projects which will see new approaches to addressing health and wellbeing challenges in Mansfield.
Councillor Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth said, “I’m so pleased that our town’s Museum has been successful in receiving this substantial amount of funding. This important project for local women at risk is a significant achievement for the council’s wellbeing priorities and makes our beloved collections accessible to people who may otherwise not have engaged with our cultural venues”.
Too many women in Mansfield experience violence, abuse and trauma; facing multiple problems like very low self-esteem, poor mental and physical health. Many have faced lifelong problems trapped in a vicious cycle, unable to build positive experiences in their lives.
The project will see women at risk develop an understanding of fine art through engaging with the collection of ceramics, paintings and jewellery over the next two years. This will include appreciating and understanding more about the items in the collection, as well as participating in creative arts activities to develop their own artistic work.
Jodie Henshaw, Museum Curator said, “The impact that COVID-19 will have had on vulnerable women in our area means that there are those who will have endured extra suffering, isolation and trauma during this time. This programme will provide a healing journey that is caring, loving, non-descriptive and non-judgemental. By taking part in this project, participants will make new connections, overcome barriers and explore emotions by building their confidence and self-esteem. I’m really excited to open our Museum doors later in the year and welcome the participants to our friendly and safe space”.
Work starts shortly with a period of relationship building, on the ground research and planning, with the Creative Women Together’s project delivery beginning later in 2021.
Activities will be delivered in collaboration and partnership with Partner Service Providers; Nottinghamshire Independent Domestic Abuse Service (opens in new window), Nottinghamshire Women's Aid (opens in new window), Jigsaw Support Scheme (hoarding addiction), Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services (opens in new window) and Changing Lives (opens in new window).
More detail about the project will be issued in the future and how women can access the project.
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