Express Yourself and See the Impact (EYSI)

Express Yourself and See the Impact (EYSI)

Funding Requested: £5,000

Description:

Express Yourself and See the Impact (EYSI) is a creative wellbeing programme based in Brixton, designed to support adults from marginalised communities who are often excluded from mainstream wellbeing and arts services. The project will specifically support Black, Asian and ethnic minorities communities, people on low incomes, and those with insecure or no immigration status - communities that are disproportionately affected by mental health challenges, isolation, and barriers to accessing healthy living.

The programme will consist of 10 creative workshops for up to 12 participants. These sessions will use accessible and expressive art forms to help people tell their stories, connect with others, and explore wellbeing in a safe, non-judgmental space. Participants will work with:

• Drawing and painting
• Charcoal mark making
• Collage and photomontage
• Nature-inspired creative walks and sketching
• Recycled and found-material art
• Introductory glass-making using safe and accessible techniques

Every session includes:

• A gentle check-in and grounding activity
• Time for reflection, making, and optional sharing
• Nutritious refreshments - herbal teas, fruits, and culturally relevant healthy snacks
• Light tips and signposting around healthy living and emotional wellbeing

Participants will be introduced to a different creative theme or material each week:

• Week 1: Introduction + Creative mark making for emotional release
• Week 2: Telling your story through collage and photomontage
• Week 3: Drawing from nature – observational sketching and walks
• Week 4: Exploring identity through self-portraiture
• Week 5: Colour and emotion – painting your inner landscape
• Week 6: Found materials and recycled art – art with a message
• Week 7: Experimental charcoal and large-scale group work
• Week 8: Glass-making and light – reflecting change
• Week 9: Curation – choosing and preparing work to share
• Week 10: Celebration – informal sharing, discussion, and reflection

The sessions are designed not for artistic skill, but for emotional expression, connection, and personal growth. Through hands-on, sensory materials and collaborative activities, participants will be encouraged to reflect on their lived experiences and feel a renewed sense of agency.

In addition to the workshops, each participant will receive one-to-one mentoring or coaching with an experienced socially engaged artist, offering personalised support. These sessions will promote confidence, self-awareness, and tools for improving emotional wellbeing and healthy decision-making.

Who the project is for:

EYSI is for Brixton residents who are aged 18+ and who are from Black, Asian or ethnic minorities backgrounds, living on low incomes, and/or experiencing insecure immigration status. Many in this group face multiple challenges, such as trauma, stress, language barriers, and fear of accessing mainstream support. This project will provide a rare opportunity for them to be heard, supported, and uplifted through creativity.

What difference will it make?

Participants will benefit from:

• Reduced isolation and increased social connection
• Enhanced confidence and creative self-expression
• Improved emotional resilience and wellbeing
• New creative skills and positive coping strategies
• A strengthened sense of agency and community belonging
• Guidance on healthy lifestyle habits, including stress management, mindfulness and nutrition

The group environment fosters a sense of belonging, while the mentoring sessions provide tailored guidance and encouragement.

How this funding will help the community:

The funding will enable the full delivery of the programme, including artists fees, high-quality materials, venue hire, and outreach. It will also ensure the workshops remain free and accessible, particularly to individuals facing financial or legal insecurity who would otherwise be excluded.

This project is more than just art workshops - it’s about creating visibility, dignity, and healing for those often made invisible. It aims to strengthen personal and collective wellbeing and build trust within the community.

Why the project will succeed:

The project is led by a socially engaged artist with extensive experience working with excluded and marginalised communities, whose practice is rooted in care, repair and empowerment through creative expression. This project builds on that foundation and is designed with the community at its heart.