News
Mental Health Awareness Week 13-19 May
Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 will be focusing on body image issues.
One successful body issue project funded by Kent Community Foundation was the “Double Edge” programme from Touchbase Care CIC based in Folkestone.
“Double Edge” was designed to build confidence and self-esteem among the Touchbase Care members living with disabilities, through weekly creative workshops, on the theme of body image and self-expression. The four-month programme used plaster casting, portraiture and life drawing and resulted in full body casting. The completed work was exhibited in the Touchbase Care centre, Brewery Tap Project Space and in the Horsebridge Arts Centre in Whitstable. Kent Community Foundation awarded Touchbase Care a grant of £1,900 to pay for materials and tuition.
Holly Smith, Deputy Centre Manager, Touchbase Care, commented “We had a very positive reaction from the local community to the work created during the “Double Edge” project and this has raised the profile of our service, raised disability awareness and sparked conversations about the sort of challenges that some of our members face. Kent Community Foundation was very supportive, and the application process was very easy to follow. I would definitely recommend that other charities in Kent and Medway approach them for financial support.”
Sarah, a Member of Touchbase Care said "I like the atmosphere at [Touch Base], everyone is friendly. I lost my sight 35 years ago, at [Touch Base] people don’t define me by my disability. I feel I have achieved a lot."
Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation, commented “Kent Community Foundation was delighted to award a grant to the innovative Touchbase Care “Double Edge” body image project. This initiative was a huge success and during Mental Health Awareness Week we would love to hear from other charities in Kent and Medway who may need our financial support and advice.”
About Mental Health Awareness Week
The Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Week’s began in 2001 and have over the years raised awareness of topics like stress, relationships, loneliness, altruism, sleep, alcohol and friendship. Mental Health Awareness Week 13-19 May 2019 will focus on body image issues.
