A decade of healing through art: Creative Alternatives celebrates ten-years in St Helens, with new funding secured

Article date: 17 October 202

Creative Alternatives, an innovative "arts on prescription" service commissioned by Public Health, first launched in Sefton in 2006 before expanding to St Helens in 2015. Since then, it has supported hundreds of local residents living with stress, anxiety, and depression — offering a compassionate, creative alternative to clinical care.

The programme places creativity at the heart of recovery, providing a safe and welcoming space for participants to explore visual arts, expressive writing, and mindfulness. With a focus on enjoyment over technique, Creative Alternatives has been widely praised for improving wellbeing, reducing isolation, and fostering lasting personal growth.

Being part of St Helen Borough Council's Arts in Libraries programme - funded via Arts Council England - also strengthens the service beyond its core programme, as it connects participants to arts and cultural events held in St Helens local libraries.

To celebrate its ten-year milestone, the Creative Alternatives team hosted a special event on World Mental Health Day, attended by past and present participants, referral partners, and key figures from St Helens Borough Council — including the Mayor, Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron MBE.

The event featured creative activities and heartfelt contributions from service users, including Michael Taylor, 63, from Parr, who read a moving poem he wrote this year about coping with  the loss of his father 23-years ago.

Michael joined the programme in 2021 after experiencing depression following the deaths of both parents within six months, compounded by ill health that forced him to stop working and give up driving.

"Creative Alternatives has saved my life," said Michael. "I've now got hobbies and interests that keep me going. Writing the poem about dad was a relief — it felt like he could hear me.

"The biggest thing about the programme is it gives you confidence. If you've got an interest but never started, they help you."

Another participant, Sophie Jewell, from Moss Bank, described the programme as a "lifeline" after being referred to Creative Alternatives by the Job Centre.

"Because I have different health conditions and I'm not originally from the area, my confidence wasn't very good," she said. "But I've now done different sessions that incorporate painting, crafts, anything I can put my mind to. It's helped control my anxiety. The team stay in touch and are always there for support."

Among the many success stories to emerge from Creative Alternatives is one that led to love. Debbie, a divorcee, and Stuart, a widower, met while on the programme and quickly formed a bond. After a day out as friends, the couple from Parr are now happily married — two years on as Mr and Mrs Gower.

"I was going through a bad time, very depressed," said Debbie whose health wasn't good as a result of a tumour. "I was hesitant at first, but it's the best thing I ever did. I don't think St Helens should be without it — it does a lot of good."

With continued funding now secured, Creative Alternatives is set to build on its legacy of compassion, creativity, and community — offering hope and healing to even more residents across St Helens in the years to come.

Programme Manager Helen Holden said:

"Reaching the ten-year milestone in St Helens is something I'm immensely proud of. Creative Alternatives is more than an arts and wellbeing programme — it's a lifeline for many, a space where people feel seen, heard, and supported through creativity and connection. Securing funding for another three years means we can continue to grow and reach even more people."

Councillor Andy Bowden, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health, commented:

"Creative Alternatives is a shining example of how we can promote health and independence through culture.

" We're proud to have supported this programme for a decade, and with new funding secured, we look forward to its continued impact in the years ahead."

Councillor Sue Murphy MBE, Cabinet Member for Localities, Culture and Heritage, added:

"The success of Creative Alternatives over the last ten years shows the transformative power and value of the arts. Embedding this programme within our Arts in Libraries offer has created a space where creativity meets care — and where people rediscover their confidence and wellbeing."

Images of artwork created during the past ten years is now set to go on tour of libraries across the borough as part of an exhibition.

Future Vision

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand its creative offer, build new partnerships, and establish a volunteer programme, enabling participants to co-create the service's future and helping them to stay well for longer.

 Jessica Bockler, Co-founder & Director of Creative Alternatives, adds: "When we first set out almost twenty years ago, our vision was to create an arts-based model of care that put people before labels. Seeing the St Helens service thrive for a decade is deeply inspiring, and a testament to the dedication of Helen and her team, and the value St Helens Borough Council places on non-clinical approaches to mental wellbeing."

About Creative Alternatives

Creative Alternatives is a socially prescribed, arts and wellbeing service for adults aged 18+ experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, depression &/or stress. Creative Alternatives is managed by Alef Trust who are commissioned by St Helens Borough Council's Public Health Service and forms part of the Arts in Libraries Programme. Participants can self-refer or be referred by healthcare and community professionals, for more details visit: www.creativealternatives.org.uk  Alef Trust is a social enterprise, working in education and community development. Alef Trust fosters projects for human flourishing in the UK and around the world: https://www.aleftrust.org/