info@arc-centre.org

Next Steps

Arc provides a wide variety of follow-on programmes and opportunities for participants who have completed our wellbeing programmes. Each pathway is designed to help participants progress and take positive steps forward in their recovery.

From monthly movement sessions, photography walks and ‘meet and make’ socials to skill-building workshops, creative enterprise and volunteering opportunities – participants can choose a pathway that’s right for them at each point of their journey.

Next Steps Programme Stockport

Creative Enterprise

Our Creative Enterprise programme is a follow-on pathway for participants at the recovery end of their journey at Arc. It’s ideal for participants who are ready to take active steps forward by building new transferable skills and experiences alongside developing their own creativity and artistic practice. Participants explore all aspects of creative enterprise from product concept, design and development to packaging, pricing and marketing, with opportunities to sell final pieces directly to customers at Maker’s Markets and Arc events. Participants explore a wide range of commercial art forms and crafts, which have included surface pattern design, textiles, jewellery making, printmaking and illustration to name a few. Arc’s shop provides a public-facing platform for the final products which helps to generate funding for Arc’s wellbeing programmes. 

Creative Challenge

Most participants move onto the Creative Challenge programme after completing their first wellbeing programme at Arc. Creative Challenge is a 3 month personal development programme, which expands participants’ creative engagement and skills to include new artforms such as creative writing, photography and ceramics.

The course is designed to support participants in taking active independent steps forward and introduces new valuable experiences and transferable skills. The course culminates in a group exhibition and public launch event which participants play an active role in from curating artworks on display to supporting the event.

"‘Creative Challenge has helped me personally and artistically - I’ve achieved things I didn’t think I could. I’ve been surprised and impressed by my own ability.’"