Complete

Supporting people experiencing homelessness through Art Therapy sessions

Funding required£510
Delivery timeframe3 months
LocationCheshire

The Pitch

Problem statement

YMCA Crewe provides accommodation for individuals aged 16+ experiencing homelessness. When they first move into YMCA Crewe, many residents vitally need support to successfully manage issues surrounding their mental and emotional wellbeing, and to overcome previous trauma and overwhelming experiences. Many will struggle to identify any interests or hobbies that they enjoy, and may have never had the opportunity to explore the range of creative activities many of us take for granted. The YMCA Crewe Engagement Team use Art Therapy sessions to help support residents to organise their feelings, and build their confidence and self-esteem, helping to develop more robust Mental Health.

Solution

Supporting YMCA Crewe residents to improve their emotional and mental wellbeing through Art Therapy sessions will enable us to empower individuals to feel able to move onto training, education or employment, and ultimately to feel confident living independently, and able to progress into their own permanent accommodation. The positive impact of the support offered by YMCA Crewe is evidenced through regular resident feedback. In a recent survey, 92% of residents stated their health had improved while at YMCA Crewe, and 96% stated that they had made progress in their personal development. Funding will be spent on providing art supplies and materials for 20 participants over three months.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

What makes YMCA Crewe Art Therapy sessions so successful is their part in a wider support package available to residents onsite through the YMCA Crewe Housing Team. Whilst developing their emotional and mental wellbeing through Art Therapy sessions, residents will simultaneously have access to support with Independent Living Skills, Budgeting, Work Placements and Accredited Training. Offering a wide range of support 'under one roof' allows our residents to build trusting relationships with our Housing and Engagement Team, which is crucial in helping them to overcome barriers to improving their mental health.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

20 x £6 sketchpads£120
40 x £3 canvases£120
20 x £2 pack of sketching pencils£40
20 x £1 pack colouring pencils£20
20 x £4 set of acrylic paint£80
20 x £3 paintbrush set£60
20 x £3.50 charcoal set£70

Beneficiaries

20 people

Expected impact

We expect the YMCA Crewe Art Therapy sessions to have a measurable, positive impact on the emotional and mental well-being of YMCA Crewe residents. This will be measured through staff observation, resident case study and testimonies, and with quantitative data from regular resident surveys. Resident engagement in the Art Therapy sessions will help to build their confidence and self esteem, which will empower them to progress through temporary housing into permanent accommodation. We will be able to see the long term impact of the sessions as residents successfully manage their tenancies, reducing the risk of future homelessness. All YMCA Crewe residents will have access to the sessions, but for many reasons some residents do not choose to engage with Art Therapy. We estimate 20 residents will attend the sessions within a three month period. This will be measured through data collected by the Engagement Team Leader.


Project updates (0)

Published by

YMCA Crewe

Registered charity