Who we are
Arts for Recovery in the Community, or simply ‘Arc’, is the leading arts and mental health charity based in Stockport that provides opportunities for people to celebrate their creativity, connect with each other and learn new skills.
Arc has more than 25 years’ experience of producing transformational arts projects which engage and include marginalised groups, promote wellbeing and recovery from mental ill-health, and reach thousands of people across the North West and beyond.
What we offer
- We help adults & young people on a journey through recovery to good mental health, wellbeing and independence.
- We offer health partners and commissioners an effective, specialist service which uses the arts to support recovery from mental ill health.
- We offer artists training, space, opportunities and resources to develop their practice in socially engaged settings.
- We offer members of the public, with a creative interest, the opportunity to learn new practical skills.
- We offer other partner organisations the opportunity to collaborate with us to achieve their goals and engage more effectively with their clients.
- We offer organisations and businesses opportunities to try out creative wellbeing activities with their teams to improve staff morale and boost productivity
- We offer a cultural venue in the heart of Stockport town centre, with a rolling programme of exhibitions and events.
Our values
Connectivity
The arts have an amazing ability to bring people together, enabling us to find strength within ourselves and each other. By connecting through creativity to people and place, we support each other, and develop a genuine sense of belonging. This has a profound and positive impact on our mental health.
Creativity
Creativity transforms lives - we can be inspired to flourish, to express ourselves, to be more confident and articulate. To take control of our future and to celebrate our journey.
Sharing stories
There is tremendous power in being given the space to tell your story and to listen to others. Exploring and sharing narratives help us make sense of our experiences and our world, reinforcing that we are not alone.
Accessibility
Creative projects need to be open, welcoming, accessible and responsive to the needs and interests of participants, but also ambitious, striving for the highest artistic outcomes and values.
Efficiency, Value and Impact
We always seek to improve our model, increase our impact and focus the use of our valuable human and financial resources.
