I have been working closely with Ninewells Community Garden since spring 2025, gaining experience with running nature-based workshops for adults staying in the Carseview Centre, the mental health clinic of Ninewells Hospital.

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Supported by the Regional Participatory Arts Fund from the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, I have worked with patients and staff from Ward 2 of the Carseview Centre to design a project that addresses the need for engaging, tactile surfaces in the Ward's quiet room. The admission ward provides acute treatment for people struggling with their mental health, with the quiet room being used as a safe, supportive environment in times of crisis or heightened emotions.

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This project involves a series of workshops delivered at Ninewells Community Garden and within Ward 2 exploring different materials and techniques such as weaving, printing, felting, and embroidery. Each workshop allowed participants to experience the therapeutic nature of arts and crafts, gaining confidence in new skills.

 

Collaboration is at the centre of the project with each workshop session involving the creation of fabric samples that have been joined together and constructed to create a collection of textile wall panels.

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The in-progress works will be on display throughout the Festival from October 20th to November 9th at Ninewells Community Garden and will be available to view Monday - Friday 10am - 3pm. After the exhibition, the artworks will be finished and permanently installed on the walls of the ward's quiet room and will provide tactile, interactive surfaces that are calming but stimulating to the senses.

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SMHAF website

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