Between 2009 and 2011 84 people with mental health needs who currently live in large mental health hostels in Leeds will be moving into their own purpose built supported living flats and other specialist accommodation provided by Progress Care Housing Association.
For many people this will be the first time they have had their own tenancy, with all the rights and responsibilities this brings and a stronger sense of belonging to a local community. Residents are understandably both apprehensive and excited in equal measures about the changes.
The Independent Living Project Pilot Group, a group made up of residents from the four hostels involved in this move, have been awarded a grant from Awards For All to work with Artlink to produce high quality canvases that they can hang in their new homes.
Throughout 2009 and 2010 residents worked with a range of artists exploring identity and self in the context of moving into their new homes. Residents worked with a range of different media including; paint, pastels, pencils, photography and animation. The resulting artwork was then transformed into large scale digital print canvases which will be on display in their new homes.
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