Ceramicists from Recovery Pathways were top of the pots after creating a series of artworks for Manchester City Council’s Be Proud Awards
Ceramicists from the Recovery Pathways service, part of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), have contributed to the Manchester City Council’s Be Proud Awards by creating a series sculptures as prizes for winners.
Start service user Hamish Sempill, and volunteer Peter Broome, worked closely with Wellbeing Arts Tutor, Annie Tortora-Cailey, after being commissioned by the Council.
Annie said: “Art commissions are a unique way for service users to grow their skills and aspirations as well as gain real-life experience of a particular area of art practise, and this commission was most welcome for these reasons.”
The trio created three ceramic sculptures for the awards, which celebrate extraordinary volunteers and local champions who make a difference to their communities.
Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Project Lead, Richard Dudley, said: “As part of the Be Proud awards for 2022 we wanted to have a local feel to the awards, this included sourcing local artwork as a prize.
“The artwork really showcased not only the amazing work the artists/service users have done, but also encapsulated the awards they were presented for.
“The winners were really pleased with the awards presented. The staff working the event also commented that the artwork really stood out. So much so that we want to work together again on the next awards.
“Thank you again for all the work that went in to these! It was a real pleasure being able to present some amazing pieces of art to well-deserved winners.”
The ceremony was held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester where the Outstanding contribution/special recognition award was presented to Javeno McLean, creator of community gym J7 and The ‘Creative in the Community’ award was presented to Ed Wellard creator of Withington Walls.
Lead Wellbeing Artist, Stephen Davies, said: “We were delighted to receive this commission from Manchester City Council. It has been a fantastic way for our service to support a celebration of the City’s volunteers and local champions.
“At Recovery Pathways we use art and creativity to help people recover from mental distress and make their way back into the world. Opportunities like this are a fantastic way to show service users’ skills, and boost their confidence, as well as demonstrate to the wider community what we do.
Recovery Pathways service offers a wide range of creativity activities to promote recovery and wellbeing. If you’re interested in referring someone you work with or just want to find out more please visit www.gmmh.nhs.uk/recovery-pathways or email referrals.recoverypathways@gmmh.nhs.uk.
