Mental health is a crucial aspect of leading a healthy, fulfilling and enjoyable life – yet studies show that 1 in 4 people struggle with their mental health each year in England [1]. Mental ill-health is a significant issue in Islington, where there is the highest level of depression in London and many people struggle with loneliness and social isolation [2].
It’s no secret that art is good for our mental health! Though it’s hard to measure just how much arts activities benefit us, studies show that these can significantly reduce symptoms such as depression and anxiety, and increase people’s sense of joy, self-confidence and social connection [3].
Walking Art is an initiative in Islington that supports local people’s mental health through mindful art and movement. Based at Hilldrop Community Centre and led by artist Helen Ainsworth, Walking Art provides free regular sessions for people of all ages and backgrounds to make drawings while walking and observing their surroundings.
I interviewed Helen to understand more about this fantastic initiative.
‘The sessions began as an idea to explore observing, artwork and moving, and then that developed into the group.’, Helen tells me, ‘We don’t do marathons! We walk according to the ability of the group. We work on all weathers, so sometimes we might walk inside if it’s bad weather’.
Helen emphasised that participants don’t need to consider themselves ‘good’ at art to join – the sessions encourage exploring and learning through observing and drawing present sensations and surroundings.
‘We play, it’s an exploration… everybody’s contribution is valid.’
Wanting to experience the sessions for myself, I joined Helen and several other participants at the Hilldrop Community Centre. Welcomed by friendly staff members and a spread of tea and biscuits, I felt immediately comfortable in the warm, social space. After we went round the group to introduce ourselves, Helen explained the activities for the afternoon, encouraging us to trust our creative instincts as we roamed around and noted objects of interest in our sketchbooks.
Once we’d explored the centre, we headed up to the roof, where a whole new range of shapes and textures caught our eyes. As Helen prompted us to focus on the sounds around us and interpret these into drawings, I found myself completely absorbed. I was no longer swept away by the daily stresses of life. Instead, I was immersed in the rustle of leaves in the wind, the chugging of a nearby boiler and the whoosh of cars on the streets below.
In the last part of the session, we came together at a table boasting a range of colourful paints and pencils to refine our creations. As we had done after each exercise, participants elected to share their artworks. Helen revelled in the diversity of our work, expressing a great deal of enthusiasm and encouragement.
‘We have time to reflect on our drawings and that reflective time is a good practice for us to think about our lives… that can be a useful tool.’
When I ask Helen how the sessions have impacted participants, she tells me:
‘I’ve noticed an emboldening in some participants… a growing confidence in their own abilities’ and ‘There is that growing sense of community’.
After experiencing Walking Art, I’m not surprised Helen has witnessed participants’ confidence and sense of social connection grow! Opportunities to be part of a supportive social group where we can explore, experiment and practice mindfulness through play and creativity are such important ways to nourish our mental health and wellbeing.
If you’d like to get involved in Walking Art, you can drop into the sessions at the Hilldrop Community Centre and visit their website to see what days the sessions are running. You can also send Helen an email at Helen@cutmoose.com.
References:
[1] https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/mental-health-facts-and-statistics
[2] https://islingtongiving.org.uk/about-us/why-islington/mental-health/
[3] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1417997/full
By Lydia Rose, Alumni Storyteller
Lydia Rose is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural organiser based in North London, whose mission is to build life-affirming relations and systems through radical creativity and collaboration.
