The Restoration Trust works in partnership with heritage/arts and health/social care bodies to provide ‘culture therapy’ for people with mental health problems.
‘Culture therapy’ helps people with mental health problems enjoy heritage, art and culture in a safe and effective way. We deliver projects in partnership with heritage/arts and health/social care bodies using resources and expertise from archives, archaeology, the historic environment, museums, visual art, music, creative writing and digital arts.
Research is undertaken into practice and mental health outcomes; this research informs our continuing practice development and delivery. We have a strategic partnership with UEA Psychology Department, and we collaborate with Bournemouth University, and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.
Participants are adults aged 18 and over who live with mental health problems, ranging from severe and enduring mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder, to mild or moderate anxiety and depression. Some of our projects work exclusively with women, or people who live in supported housing. Our particular expertise is work with people with complex needs who experience multiple disadvantages.
