Candi arts

Welcome to Candi Arts! A dedicated home for promoting and representing arts and health services, activities, opportunities and artists within Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. The therapeutic value of the arts is strongly valued by the Trust in the treatment of mental health difficulties, with a range of activities supported including arts and occupational therapy groups,  educational courses run by practising artists and teachers, workshops, exhibitions and music events for service users to showcase their work, as well as providing exhibiton spaces and art for display to improve our external environment. 

 Jean Claude

     Image by Jean Claude, Copyright Reserved

The benefits from engagement in  these various arts activities can effect individuals on various emotional and practical levels which could include enhanced self esteem and relaxation, increased sense of purpose, disipline and capacity for personal and emotional insight as well as improved practical coordination, problem solving, technical and social skills. We may place emphasis at different stages of treatment on the use of arts and occupational therapies towards more vocational and practical arts opportunities for those who are ready and wish to develop their art skills in different ways and venture back into the community.

We collaborate widely with our external community, working with local arts organisations, artists, exhibition venues, colleges, council and community groups. We host many vibrant arts events which we value as an important role in destigmatising mental health issues through a two way exchange between ourselves as service providers and users and the wider public audience.

We aim to:

  • vigorously promote the therapeutic benefits of the Arts in the lives of people with mental health problems and the positive effects of Art in the environment for health and well being of all
  • take an overview of Arts activities across services in order to promote a co-ordinated approach to the use of resources and expertise, in the provision of Artistic initiatives across service areas and sites
  • systematically collect, develop and share knowledge and expertise in all aspects of these activities
  • facilitate access to Arts in the community for people with mental health problems as part of recovery and to promote social inclusion
  • develop links with external organisations in order to improve Trust resources and facilities for the Arts, and increase access to external Arts events for both service users and staff
  • reduce the stigma associated with mental illness through recognition and promotion of the artistic talent and humanity of service users.