Local organisations come together to help open new creative studio for young mental health patients

Hevey Building Supplies Ltd in Northampton have donated £1,500 worth of tools to help kit out a new creative studio, which will be used by young patients with mental health needs.

The new Hevey’s Creative Studio – located within FitzRoy House, St Andrew’s child and adolescent mental health service - will be used by patients aged between 10-18 years of age. The patients within FitzRoy have a variety of mental health needs, from complex mental disorders with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties, to intellectual disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders.

Hevey’s Creative Studio has been especially designed to allow St Andrew’s young patients to get creative in a safe and secure environment, from model making and woodwork, to bike maintenance, textiles and crafts. Hevey’s donation included hand tools, power tools including drills and a sander, and a site radio.

The studio was opened officially with a special event attended by staff and patients, representatives from Hevey and players from Hevey’s sporting partners Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, all of whom had an opportunity to test the equipment. Even NCCC’s mascot, Steeler, got his paws dirty and tried some of the activities available.

Claire Smith, Lead Occupational Therapist at St Andrew’s, explained: “This space provides many opportunities for the young people to develop their work skills and creativity through activities such as woodwork, bike maintenance, indoor horticulture, ceramics, textiles and model-making as part of the Occupational Therapy vocational graded skills pathway. The space gives the young people real occupational choices, helps build their occupational identity and develop their self-esteem, skill acquisition and independence. A massive thank you also to the young people who were instrumental in helping the Occupational Therapists design the room and make the plaque, shadow boards and benches at Workbridge.”

Northamptonshire Steelbacks' batsman, Josh Cobb, said: "It was fascinating to see the new room, it's going to be great for the kids to spend time in and develop their skills. I was very impressed with some of the things they've built already."