Ten minutes with: Jacqui Wood, CEO of Arc Stockport

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Jacqui Wood, the CEO of Stockport’s Arc – Arts for Recovery in the Community – based in the iconic Hat Works Museum in the town centre.

It’s a warm welcoming space, where children, mums, dads, grandparents, singles, family and friends can feel safe; where children can talk together and develop together, where mums and dads can chat freely without fear of judgement. ARC enables conversations and expression of feelings. The coffee and cakes are delicious and it’s open to anyone!

When we met, Jacqui and the team were preparing for Stockport Arts & Health Week but luckily for the people of Stockport, Arc provide activities all year round to support mental health and wellbeing in the community.

Jacqui has worked in Stockport since the mid 1990s including the very first Arts on Prescription scheme invented in Stockport and MAPS (the Mind Arts Project). An innovative scheme, Stockport was leading the way in social prescribing, when GPs were able to prescribe 10 sessions of creative writing or art classes to assist patients suffering from issues with their mental health.

Art and creativity are widely recognised as part of the recovery pathway for young people and adults in Stockport, evident by the number of participants at Arc who visit as a result of referrals from supporting Health Service Practitioners.

After 10 years of working as MAPS, visual artist Michael Anderson along with Jacqui and a Board of Trustees, launched Arts for Recovery in the Community (Arc) as an independent registered charity in 2005, with their shared vision to “support everybody because, mental health and anxiety can affect anyone at any time in their lives.”

 For many years Arc was located on Greg Street in Reddish where it became well-established, developing an excellent reputation for its important and successful work across Stockport.

Jacqui explains:

“We had many very happy years in Reddish; the community were fabulous, and we enjoyed our time there. But sadly, the building we were in was earmarked for demolition and we needed a new home. Luckily for us, news of our work had spread, and we were offered the chance to build a new home here, at the amazing Hat Works!

“It couldn’t have worked out any better. Not only are we in a beautiful, but historic building that is also a huge part of Stockport’s heritage, our central location means we are more easily accessible for everyone.”

 As well as the services provided at their studio in the Hat Works, Arc provide outreach support to staff and patients on Ardern and Norbury mental health wards at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Participants enjoy a structured, considered 3-month programme offering Wellbeing Support as well as signposting to follow on projects and future opportunities.

“It’s important that we consider individual needs; our sessions have been honed over time and well thought through with the aim of instilling confidence within a safe, comfortable setting. We operate small groups, up to around 10, to ensure our participants are not overwhelmed or feel anxious. As a result, they feel at ease in company, develop a sense of belonging and it’s a great way to socially engage and make friends.

“Art inspires creativity in an inspirational setting where they can feel valued and proud of their achievements and open a door to other opportunities.

“By working with experienced artists and providing quality materials, our participants can produce quality work and be the best they can be.”

 While Arc employs a small core team of 6, they have 70 plus active volunteers who inspire and deliver all the activities, including the increasingly popular Saturday Art Club, recently attended by 151 enthusiasts!

What impact did Covid have for Arc?

“Apart from the fact that we were unable to meet in person, post-pandemic has actually had a positive impact as people have become more aware of their community and of their own health.

“As a result of Covid, we launched www.keepingustogether.org.uk – where visitors to the website can download creative activities; they are accessible from anywhere at any time. The best thing is that you don’t have to wait to be referred, it’s a taster, a great introduction to Arc and a stepping stone to becoming physically involved.”

As a registered charity, like many others, Arc is largely reliant upon external funding; much of Jacqui’s time is taken up writing bids and applying for grants. In November, she is looking to launch a corporate offer which Jacqui hopes will provide an additional income stream to meet the growing demand for their services. Referrals to the core adult programme have doubled in the past year and Arc are very often stretched to cater for needs.

The solution?

“We need more longer-term investment to give us stability and to give us the ability to plan to meet future demand. There are social needs to meet, not just physical or mental health needs. It’s important for all our visitors and clients to feel part of something, self-belonging.

“We want everyone to feel welcome, to have a ‘place’ – this is the space for them.”

All Arc’s programmes are geared towards providing support to people’s needs including those who may not seek help and have been traditionally harder to reach. Activities and workshops include painting, photography, movement and pottery – multiple creative-led ways to encourage engagement.

For example:

• Men’s music programme – an opportunity for men to talk freely in a secure environment.
• Creative mums – an opportunity mums to meet other mums and carry out activities with their children.
• 11-17 years old young people facing mental health challenges – weekly sessions over a 3-month programme providing support in a safe environment.
• Arts for Wellbeing – their core programme
• Age Well for over 60s – an opportunity to meet, share experiences and make friends with people of a similar age.
• Exhibitions – often involving guest artists and always related to health & wellbeing.

Open Thursday and Friday & on the last Saturday of each month, Hat Works is currently undergoing works to return it to its former, hat-making glory.

Find out more about Arc and how they may be able to help you or someone you know:
https://arc-centre.org/

Jacqui was speaking to Helen White, Stockport Town of Culture