On Saturday 15th October, a beautiful bright autumn day, more than 90 CoolTan Arts participants, volunteers, supporters and patrons gathered outside Maudsely Hospital to begin a monumental sponsored walk. Our BIG Largactyl Shuffle was organised to celebrate ‘World Mental Health Day’ and explored the history of the NHS from “Cradle to Grave”.
The Deputy Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Althea Smith and Cllr Dora Dixon Fyle - Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, joined us alongside comedian and broadcaster Arthur Smith, to open proceedings. Highlights included a unique tree-planting ceremony on Camberwell Green. A Gingko tree was planted, a ‘living sculpture’, made possible with funding from the Cleaner Greener Safer initiative, awarded by Southwark Council. Michelle Baharier CEO of CoolTan Arts said: “CoolTan are very proud to have this unique commission on Camberwell Green, both as a legacy for our organisation and a reminder to keep mental health on the agenda”. During the tree planting ceremony, Cllr Dixon-Fyle said: “Keep CoolTan in the Frame, that’s exactly what we’re going to do”.
The walk was staged as a fundraiser against crippling cuts from the NHS. Well-wishers will be pleased to hear that staff, volunteers, participants and patrons have to date raised a total of £6225.00 in aid of the charity. CoolTan Arts is a mental health and arts charity offering a full creative programme, from visual arts and sculpture to film-making and pod-casting, as well as self-advocacy sessions. The day was a huge success with fun, poetry, history and creative talks along the way.
Amos Phillips, Chair of CoolTan Arts Trustees expressed his thoughts on the day’s success, “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who was involved in CoolTan Art’s Sponsored Shuffle through, participating, fundraising and organising. The superb weather and unique camaraderie created by this year’s shuffle made the day thoroughly uplifting and enlightening. I would like to wholeheartedly welcome everyone back on next year’s walk!”
The event culminated in a film screening, refreshments and socialising at Tate Modern, including home-made cakes and an impromptu performance from participant Julius Xavier, with his new song, Personalisation Is For Us!
A huge thank you to all the lovely people who helped make this day so great.
You can still sponsor the walk ‘No Health without Mental Health’ by visiting: www.justgiving.com/cooltanarts You can find out more www.facebook.com/cooltanarts
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