An innovative exhibition showcasing photography and art from patients at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) is opening to the public in Colchester next week.
The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with service users under the care of EPUT’s Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) team and At Risk Mental State (ARMS) Teams,based in Colchester and Tendring.
This follows a very successful art exhibition in 2024, which was described as ‘inspiring’, ‘an opportunity to connect with others’ and ‘crucial for raising awareness about psychosis’.
Experiences, such as hearing voices, seeing visions, feeling paranoid, or having unusual thoughts, can be difficult and are often misunderstood. For some, these experiences may feel confusing or distressing; for others, they may hold personal, spiritual, or religious significance.
Using visual art or other creative mediums can offer a powerful way to express and share what it’s like to navigate these experiences. Photos that reflect aspects of someone’s life—such as self-portraits or meaningful objects, can capture a deeply personal perspective on mental health and recovery.
Amy Djordjevic, Senior Occupational Therapist and project coordinator for Creative Minds, said: “As a mental health practitioner and occupational therapist, I wanted to create an opportunity to celebrate the creativity and individuality of the people we work with.
“By holding the exhibition in a welcoming community café, we hope to create an informal and inclusive space where people can engage with the work in a relaxed setting.
“Sharing these creative expressions publicly not only gives our clients a platform to be seen and heard, but also invites the wider community to connect, reflect, and rethink assumptions—helping to reduce stigma and promote understanding through genuine human stories”
The exhibition is being held at Level Best Community Cafe in Colchester between Tuesday June 3 and Friday June 27.
Level Best Enterprises is a social enterprise project which is passionate about providing high-quality work and life skills training for adults and young people with learning disabilities through personalised and community-based activities.