Issue 8: The Lots of New Artists and Big News Issue

I often think it’s a truly bittersweet experience putting each issue of Reflections together, and this eighth edition is no exception, sweet because it really is so inspiring looking at all the fantastic art that is submitted to us and to be able to give so many people a real lift by showcasing their creative talents to an ever widening audience, and bitter because we cannot possibly fit everything in, and this issue is a perfect example of the dilemmas we face.

Over the years we have grown to love the work of some particular artists who have featured regularly in this magazine, and we could so easily have filled this issue with their work, however, as it says on the front cover, there are lots of new artists in this edition who deserve the chance to see their work in print too.

Fortunately, thanks to the vision, support and belief shown by Mike Farrar, Chief Executive of NHS North West, we can still give everyone the opportunity to showcase their talents to a worldwide audience by featuring them on our website www.breakthroughmhart.com - beautifully designed by Roger Marlow of Health2Works who always helps us way above and beyond the call of duty, as does Darren Turner at Azure Printing.

This leads me onto the other part of this edition’s strap line the BIG NEWS issue. It is precisely because of the dilemmas we face and also because of my promise in the first issue of Reflections never to let this magazine fold again that I am going to undertake an Epic Fundraising walk which will begin next March. You can read all about it on our website.

Our other big news is the Government’s response both to our on line petition (please see our website) which ended so abruptly when the new Government came to power, and the answers to the questions we asked under the Freedom of Information Act, all of which you can read about later in this issue and draw your own conclusions.

For once in my life I am going to maintain a diplomatic silence except to say that the campaign continues, and I would like to thank all the members of the National Strategy Group for their invaluable input to our campaign – your support and efforts are both needed and much appreciated.

And finally, whilst I am thanking people, the stress and anxiety we face with constant worries about future funding for this magazine are at least kept to a bearable level, thanks to the faith and belief shown in us by our supporters working in the organisations listed below, who recognise the valuable role art has in aiding recovery, and maintaining well being.

Oh and by the way, one day we will have Positive Practice in Art in Health Awards if it’s the last thing I do, I will make that happen. In the meantime, please visit the Positive Practice in MH web site that we facilitate www.positivepracticeinmh.com where excellent projects such as START in Manchester and START in Salford are featured.

Tony Russell - Editor

List of Supporters

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford District Care Trust, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, NHS County Durham and Darlington, 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Humber Mental Health NHS Teaching Trust, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust, Wolverhampton City PCT, NHS Barnsley, Manchester Health and Social Care NHS Trust.