A working studio
Most days I still feel as though I’m faking my way through life, playing at ‘grown ups’, waiting to be caught out, however there are moments where the old me, or rather the younger me, the me before the diagnosis peeks through. Being involved with the award for Big Society Capital has helped me remember what it felt like to be challenged, to have deadlines, to collaborate with others; I hadn’t realised how much I missed social interaction. It still feels as though I’m acting,
Studio Stories
I feel that Designs in Mind has been a real turning point in my life (even my mum and best friend have noticed this). I've learnt to laugh again. I've discovered projects and skills I've never even thought possible of achieving. I'm continuously learning to accept myself for who I am and less of what others think I should be. I now understand and acknowledge genuine relationships and that I/we have value in the society that we live, work, breathe in. I've made friends in my 8
Studio Stories
Designs in Mind is somewhere I can go to learn how to do things badly. Sounds a bit strange?! Not really - sometimes to do a job well you have to start off doing it badly so that you learn how to do it well. My confidence and self esteem are at rock bottom. At Designs in Mind, in an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance, I have been given the space and support to do things I didn't think I could do and to recognise when I need to ask for help with a task rather than abandon it
Wearing a mask?
Every day we start in the studio with a morning meeting. This is mainly so that we can go through the 'menu' of production for the day and find a way to join in. It is also a chance for us to check in, and sometimes it leads to interesting conversations. People often say that when they are in the studio they don't have to wear a mask, the mask that they put on everywhere else. The mask that says 'I'm fine' even when they're not. Or the mask that hides their mental health labe
