to make a difference

What we do

hArt helps to change the lives of adults and children with mental health and wider social issues. Through creative therapy and a range of professionally structured activities, we can help people feel better, build their confidence and allow their self-expression to shine through.

hArt works with people of all ages and abilities, and can offer group programmes and workshops as well as one to one work with fully qualified Art Therapists. hArt also works with experienced teachers, artists and facilitators to offer enjoyable, social activities, bringing people together for relaxation, leisure and learning.

hArt. Lymington charity. Hampshire Art for Recreation and Therapy. Art Therapy. New Forest. Dove. Women's Art Exchang (WAX)

These Doves were created at hArt's Women's Art Exchange (WAX) project

We have already delivered a number of projects and workshops for children and adults, some aimed at specific needs and others for more general support for health and wellbeing. We have worked indoors and outdoors and across the New Forest, Dorset and into Wiltshire.

We are able to tailor-make programmes for clients with particular challenges, as well as offering one to one work where required.

If you would like to discuss a particular project or have an idea for one, do get in touch here.

If you are a larger organisation and feel we can deliver a service for a particular client group and you wish to commission us, then please contact us here, and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

Where We Work

hArt. Art Therapy. Lymington Art Therapy. Wednesday wellbeing. Lymington. Drop in art sessions.

hArt enjoys going out and about, working indoors and outside, in beautiful locations. We work with schools, colleges, care homes and in village halls, with groups and individuals, and are happy to travel where ever we are invited.

“I am proud of myself, I usually don’t do art as I have no inspiration or vision but today I saw the wool and instantly had an idea and went with it.” - Service user

“Such a relaxing session with lots of materials and guidance. Had lots of laughs and encouragement too.” - Service user

Art Therapy - What is it?

Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses the creative process to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. We work with art therapists, music therapists and drama therapists.

A qualified Art Psychotherapist will have completed a BA, followed by 1,500 supervised volunteer hours before they can progress to their MA. This can take up to seven years to complete and we are fortunate to have links with a growing number of these highly skilled professionals. BAAT website : www.baat.org

hArt. Art Therapy. Art Psychotherapy. Lymington charity. Social Prescribing. Group art sessions. Feathers. Butterfly.

Art therapy. hArt. Lymington charity. Lymington. art psychotherapy. wellbeing wednesday. art groups.

Wellbeing Wednesdays

These sessions take place in both Lymington (Lymington Cricket club) and Fordingbridge (The Avonway Centre). Both the sessions were set up as drop-in groups. However, the need for art therapy in both communities has been so strong that the groups are now full.

We have set up a waiting list and are planning new delivery later this year. To register your interest, click here.

Children's Art Therapy

hArt has previously run a very successful programme for young children affected by domestic abuse, funded by Children In Need, and aims to offer similar programmes again in the future.

1-2-1 working

hArt runs one to one art therapy sessions. These give a really personalised experience for the recipient and allow artistic expression to flow in the comfort of a more relaxed, quieter environment.

For further details on how to book one of these sessions, please contact us.

Lymington charity. hArt. Outdoor art. art psychotherapy. Totton college. Brockenhurst college. hart. Art in the enviroment. young people.

Outdoor Projects

In 2018 hArt started delivering outdoor projects for young people at two different locations, offering opportunities for creative work inspired by the environment alongside some hands-on practical skills, working with a fully qualified art psychotherapist and an experienced woodsman. We plan more outdoor working for 2019.

Women's Art Exchange (WAX)

Weekly workshops aimed at women wanting to explore self-expression through a variety of creative activities and offering peer support.

Community support. Silverlinks. elderly support. Lymington. hart. Dementia support. Helping the elderly.

Inter-generational Events

We like to bring together people of all ages around creative activities and have offered memory box projects, working with pupils from local junior schools and residents from care homes who shared memories of school days.

We have also run drum circles for a variety of age groups and look forward to offering similar events in the coming year.

Public art. Lymington Charity. New Forest charity. Lymington hospital. Making hospitals better. hArt. Collage.

Forest Collage

We created a beautiful collage in 2015 which hung in the outpatients area in Lymington New Forest Hospital for 3 years, where it made a colourful difference to those waiting for tests and treatment. Patients, staff and visitors all contributed and we'd love the opportunity to create something similar with you, so please contact us for further information.

What is

Social

Prescribing?

You may have heard the term Social Prescribing? It is a term that is becoming more and more widely used, and it refers to health care professionals providing information to patients to find support that exists within the community to improve their health and wellbeing.

To read more, including the goals of Social prescribing and why hArt are excited to be involved, click here.

Creative Ways to Support Mental Health