The VIC art group
Art Group
History
The VIC art group was started in 2011 by one of our core members Darren Horsnell, whose own experience of using art for its therapeutic benefits at Combat Stress found it not only helped with his own mental well being but others could also benefit from it as a means to relieve stress, anxiety and social isolation, as well as those who were experiencing some personal difficulties. It was decided that an art group would be one of the first VIC activities that we would develop for our members.
The first art group was run at the REAL offices in Bacup in 2011 with a small grant that was used to buy some of the art materials that our members would need to start. The group was well attended and that gave us an opportunity to apply for further funding as we had evidence that so many were seeing the benefit of art and we started to exhibit some of the work our members had done. When we moved into the VIC Centre in January 2014 we could have a dedicated art room where we could increase the days we could run the group and build on an existing successful activity.
VIC made an application for funding through the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme for our art project called The Creative Community Hub in February 2014. The grant was to develop the art and a craft group further so others in the wider community can take part in these activities. With the VIC Centre opening we had the accommodation and the necessary resources to develop this art group in the Creative Community Hub. In addition to the Friday group we started a second art group on Tuesdays.
The VIC art group was started in 2011 by one of our core members Darren Horsnell, whose own experience of using art for its therapeutic benefits at Combat Stress found it not only helped with his own mental well being but others could also benefit from it as a means to relieve stress, anxiety and social isolation, as well as those who were experiencing some personal difficulties. It was decided that an art group would be one of the first VIC activities that we would develop for our members.
The first art group was run at the REAL offices in Bacup in 2011 with a small grant that was used to buy some of the art materials that our members would need to start. The group was well attended and that gave us an opportunity to apply for further funding as we had evidence that so many were seeing the benefit of art and we started to exhibit some of the work our members had done. When we moved into the VIC Centre in January 2014 we could have a dedicated art room where we could increase the days we could run the group and build on an existing successful activity.
VIC made an application for funding through the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme for our art project called The Creative Community Hub in February 2014. The grant was to develop the art and a craft group further so others in the wider community can take part in these activities. With the VIC Centre opening we had the accommodation and the necessary resources to develop this art group in the Creative Community Hub. In addition to the Friday group we started a second art group on Tuesdays.
The art group was founded by Darren Horsnell
Darren Horsnell joined the 4th Field Regt, Royal Artillery at sixteen and was nineteen in 1982 when they were deployed to the Falklands.
Darren struggled with the transition from the military environment to settling down into a new life as a civilian. He had a number of jobs within two years of leaving and tried to re-join the army. He failed to re-enlist following a medical due to the early onset of some mental health symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
He became homeless and lived in his car for eighteen months and the only contact he had was through the internet. He became friends with a friend he had during his childhood and she supported him. With her support he contacted Combat Stress and for ten years he started to live with PTSD. Whilst at Combat Stress he was introduced to art, and this was one of the therapies that was having a positive impact on his PTSD. With her support Daren moved up to Haslingden in 2011 and started a new life. He was diagnosed with PTSD in 1990, this was attributed to his experiences during the Falklands Conflict.
Darren was one of the founder volunteers when VIC was formed in 2012 and it was his vision that he would continue to help others using art for it's therapeutic benefits and he established the Friday art group in Bacup. Darren was still under Combat Stress at that time and was not coping mentally, he relied on his partner heavily and rarely went anywhere on his own or engaging with local NHS services.
The art group was one and the first activities VIC set up and Darren was encouraged to lead this project. This very quickly proved to be a success not only for Darren to regain his confidence, self-esteem and motivation but also others using the group. With Darren’s guidance and enthusiasm the group developed and received some MOD funding for the Creative Community Hub. Darren went on to running our first Social Enterprise project; the Positive Art shop in Rawtenstall.
Darren's story and introduction to Combat Stress and art therapy.
Darren struggled with the transition from the military environment to settling down into a new life as a civilian. He had a number of jobs within two years of leaving and tried to re-join the army. He failed to re-enlist following a medical due to the early onset of some mental health symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
He became homeless and lived in his car for eighteen months and the only contact he had was through the internet. He became friends with a friend he had during his childhood and she supported him. With her support he contacted Combat Stress and for ten years he started to live with PTSD. Whilst at Combat Stress he was introduced to art, and this was one of the therapies that was having a positive impact on his PTSD. With her support Daren moved up to Haslingden in 2011 and started a new life. He was diagnosed with PTSD in 1990, this was attributed to his experiences during the Falklands Conflict.
Darren was one of the founder volunteers when VIC was formed in 2012 and it was his vision that he would continue to help others using art for it's therapeutic benefits and he established the Friday art group in Bacup. Darren was still under Combat Stress at that time and was not coping mentally, he relied on his partner heavily and rarely went anywhere on his own or engaging with local NHS services.
The art group was one and the first activities VIC set up and Darren was encouraged to lead this project. This very quickly proved to be a success not only for Darren to regain his confidence, self-esteem and motivation but also others using the group. With Darren’s guidance and enthusiasm the group developed and received some MOD funding for the Creative Community Hub. Darren went on to running our first Social Enterprise project; the Positive Art shop in Rawtenstall.
Darren's story and introduction to Combat Stress and art therapy.
