Our Projects
There are many ways to get involved with projects at BrightSparks Arts, we have regular groups and projects, alongside one-off events such as the Creative Health Area at Riverside Festival.
Want to pop in and see if a group is for you?
Drop in and join us at a regular event, see the events calendar here to find out when the next groups are meeting.
Want to join a group?
See something you would like to join or unsure what you’d like to do but want to be involved, contact us to be referred to which group might work best for you.
Want to help out or get involved?
Find our more about how you can volunteer with us at an event or as part of a project.
Comedy Asylum
The Comedy Asylum supports adults who use mental health services in Leicester and Kettering to use word games, improvisation, sketch writing and performance to build self esteem, confidence and a sense of community.
Humour Hubs
Our Humour Hubs project aims to bring people who are struggling with their wellbeing together in community venues all over Leicestershire.
The relaxed and welcoming sessions are led by our comedy programme team and include creative writing, games, music and sketch writing.
Art Space
Our Art Space group meets weekly at our partner venue, Attenborough Arts Centre.
Participants create art work in collaboration with professional artist leaders and develop exhibitions for display at various venues including the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Attenborough Arts Centre, who host our annual Open Exhibition.
House of Circus
Drop in to House Of Circus to meet like minded people, make friends, and pick up circus skills.
Sessions include a range of juggling skills, practices to improve hand-eye coordination and balance, and other movement arts, such as AcroYoga, slackening, handstands, and even riding a unicycle.
Green Room Gardeners
Green Room Gardeners uses gardening, creative writing, poetry, visual arts and cookery to support mental health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
The project takes place at Leicester Libraries, The Queen’s Road Allotments and The Park Lodge, to support young people at risk of homelessness.
Showcase Smoothie
The Smoothie project offers weekly music sessions in the community and includes singing, rapping, recording and lyric writing.
Participants are supported to perform their work at regular BrightSparks Arts events at venues around Leicester which helps to build confidence, performance skills and a sense of belonging.
Arts Cafe
The ArtsCafe meets weekly in the Involvement Centre at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit.
These sessions support people in hospital and those who access mental health services in the community.
We collaborate with professional artists who lead the sessions and create exhibitions and publications of art work created by participants.
Mish Mash
MishMash is a music project for patients in hospital, including everyone, but aimed at young Black men.
MishMash aims to build confidence and social interaction, encouraging participants to use their creativity in ways they may not have had the opportunity to do before.
How to go about
Joining a group
Some of our projects are ‘drop in’ but others we have limited member spaces.
To join a group with limited member spaces, we love to speak to you and find out more about you to know which group maybe ideal for you.
If you are interested in becoming part of a project, please contact us to be referred to which group may work for you.
Creative health area
Riverside Festival
BrightSparks Arts produces the Creative Health Area at Riverside Festival, offering a chance to showcase our projects and connect with the wider community in Leicester to promote the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing.
See more photos from past Riverside Festivals here.
If you are interested in being part of the Creative Health Area, or would like to be part of the volunteer team, please get in touch.
