Orb Community Arts

"I am now beginning to relax and starting to understand the meaning of ‘inclusion’ and its bearing on mental illness." John from Orb talks about how he is benefiting from the @ActionTowards Inclusion (ATI) programme. bigthinking.org.uk/2018/11/13/sto…

Funded by the Big Lottery and the European Social Fund, this could be just the sort of help you need. Here's a link to the programme blog which will give you an idea of some of the impact this is having on people like you. bigthinking.org.uk/2018/10/10/big…

Orb isn't just about using creativity to help combat the negative effects of poor mental health, it's also about providing people with real pathways into volunteering, education and work.

We've seen many of our participants progressing to places they couldn't have imagined a year ago, including paid employment, volunteering, increased social inclusion and gaining access to helpful additional support like counselling, yoga and financial advice.

If you're unemployed or economically inactive, you could be part of our Action Towards Inclusion programme, providing you with personalised support to think about your future and real help to get there.

If you are unemployed or economically inactive, and if you think some support to progress would help you too, then please get in touch.

Great to see service user Mick representing Orb at the Action Towards Inclusion Celebration Event, for the screening of his film describing his ATI journey.

ATI is a Big Lottery/European Social Fund funded project, helping vulnerable local people get the support they need to progress, to be more included, and to move towards destinations like work and education (or the steps on the way to these).

Our volunteers are at #Harrogate library today @nycclibraries along with @thehubHG1 @orb_arts and @MindinHarrogate raising awareness around mental health this #WMHD2018. Come along for a chat and to find out what support is available locally #Samartians #WorldMentalHealthDay2018

It's #WorldMentalHealthDay we're holding an art exhibition for the whole week with our friends from @orb_arts and @ChopsticksN. It's at @stpetershgt, do pop in and enjoy the work by our clients. It's a celebration of colour.

Happy #WorldMentalHealthDay! It's a lovely sunny Wednesday morning, so why not join us at Knaresborough Library for tea, coffee, cake and some songs from our Singing for Wellbeing group? You're welcome to join in, or pick up a leaflet to find out more about our services.

On #WorldMentalHealthDay please remember there is local support in #Harrogate #Ripon #Knaresborough inc @MindinHarrogate @orb_arts @HgateSamaritans @WellspringHG2 @2015TLH @mysaintmichaels @CarersResource @Compass_BUZZ #WhereToTurn harcvs.org.uk

And don't forget: we run wellbeing-focused garden sessions every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, because getting out there can do wonders for your mental health. If you feel that getting involved in the Orb garden might help you or someone you know, we'd love to hear from you.

Fresh air, fresh fruit & veg, good company, wildlife: the Orb garden's got it all - and it's award winning! Gold in the Knaresborough in Bloom award for the Community Garden category - that's why Jon the Gardener is looking so happy!

Nominations for #Knaresborough #volunteer Unsung Hero Award @VolunteerOscars close 9pm on Monday 8th Please spread the word 👍@KnaresboroughOL @KnaresboroughPi @orb_arts @fevaFest @HenshawsArts @KboroCFRs @Kn_Rotary harcvs.org.uk/news/volunteer…

Orb will be at Harrogate Library for World Mental Health Day #WMHD2018 next Wednesday (10th October), from 11am to 2pm. Also present: @thehubHG1 @HgateSamaritans and @MindinHarrogate. If you're looking for mental health support, come and see us. twitter.com/nycclibraries/…

The Singing For Happiness group meets at Orb every Tuesday from 6pm. Singing can really boost your mental well-being, and we're looking for new members of any ability (even if you think you haven't any!), to join in our fun group.

"A fun, relaxed and welcoming event, filled with laughter and the chance for everyone to show their creativity. " Jennifer from Orb reviews our annual @fevaFest open day, and interviews some of the key participants. orb-arts.org/feva-at-orb-20…

We'll be doing our bit for #WorldMentalHealthDay on Wed Oct 10, including a sing-a-long-a coffee morning at Knaresborough Library and contributing to a week-long art exhibition organised by our friends from @ClaroEnterprise - do go and check it out! facebook.com/events/4871603…

Striking colours in Orb's artspace... we run a regular Wednesday morning art group with a wellbeing focus, where you can be with others, learn new skills and express yourself, whatever your level of experience. Creativity, community and wellbeing in the heart of Knaresborough.