Creative Alternatives Marks 10 Years of Arts-on-Prescription Mental Health Support in St Helens
Creative Alternatives, an award-winning arts on prescription service, is celebrating a decade of transforming lives in St Helens through creativity, compassion, and community mental health support.
Article date: 8 October
Founded in 2006 in Sefton, the programme expanded to St Helens in 2015, offering a unique model of care that places creativity before clinical labels. Over the past ten years, the St Helens programme has provided hundreds of residents across the borough living with stress, anxiety, and/or depression with a safe, supportive space to connect and heal through the arts. Programme Manager, Helen Holden reflects:
"Reaching the ten-year milestone in St Helens is something I'm immensely proud of for everyone who has been part of this journey. Creative Alternatives is more than an arts and wellbeing programme - it's a safe space for people to be themselves; to be seen, heard, and supported through creativity and social connection."
Participants take part in a creative programme integrating different art-forms, expressive writing, and mindfulness practices. With sessions focused more on enjoyment than technique, the programme has been credited with improving wellbeing, reducing isolation, and fostering person centred support that extends beyond the group environment.
The service in St Helens is commissioned by St Helens Borough Council's Public Health Service and is supported by, and sits within, the Arts in Libraries Programme for the borough.
Councillor Andy Bowden, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health commented: "Creative Alternatives is a good example of how we can promote health, independence, and care across our communities in St Helens. By offering a nonclinical, creative pathway to mental wellbeing, this service empowers residents to take control of their health in a supportive and inspiring environment.
"We're proud to have commissioned this programme for a decade and look forward to its continued impact."
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 of the arts. By embedding this programme within our Arts in Libraries offer, we've created a space where creativity meets care, and where people can rediscover their confidence and wellbeing. It's a testament to the value of cultural investment in our borough."
On Friday 10th October, which is also World Mental Health Day, the Creative Alternatives team will be hosting a special event to celebrate 10 years of delivering the service in the borough which will be attended by participants, referral partners, and key members of St Helens Borough Council. Impact and Recognition Independent evaluation shows participants consistently report improved mental health and lifestyle outcomes. On average, wellbeing scores increase by around five points, exceeding national benchmarks.
Qualitative feedback describes the service as "a lifeline" and "the best support for my mental health that I've ever received." Creative Alternatives has also gained wider recognition, receiving awards such as the North West Public Health Award and Team of the Year, further cementing its reputation for innovation and quality.
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. 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/