Flying Fish Artists is a small, local charity (Reg No. 1157556) in Barnstaple. Through the use of art as therapy our aim is to enhance and promote the mental health of people in the Devon area, and specifically support the resilience and recovery of those experiencing mental ill health. We also aim to challenge perceptions of mental ill health through the work that we do. We support our members in their recovery from mental ill health by providing an art studio, which doubles as a meeting space, where our members meet regularly to paint and for our monthly members’ meetings.

We provide art equipment, art education and general support for all our members, encouraging them to use creative talents which often even they were unaware they had. An important aspect of our activities is to encourage all members to participate in exhibitions, open days, events and to accept commissions.

We currently have 20 members, and welcome new members. One of our members sums up in his own words the impact that Flying Fish Artists has made: “When I first came I was anxious that I wouldn't fit in, but the easy going atmosphere of the like minded people made me realise that I had nothing to worry about. Having not painted for about four years prior I now find it joyful and stimulating and I've regained my confidence, and worthiness in my own paintings. I've made some good friends at Flying Fish, and it is a leap forward into the positive in improving my own mental health.”

From time to time we need drivers who are willing to help us deliver commissioned pictures to the organisations which have purchased them. Our next delivery is being planned currently for 17 of our pictures, all A3 in size and all framed. These need to be delivered to the NHS Mental Health Units in Torbay and in Exeter. We are currently awaiting payment for some of the pictures and will set a date for delivering the pictures once we receive the payment. If there is anyone who can help us in delivering these, we would be so grateful. We can fit around a volunteer driver’s own schedule. Rose Hannaford-Hill, our Chairman, is the best person to contact about this. She can be reached by email on flyingfishartists@googlemail.com or on the Flying Fish Artists telephone number at 01271 859490. Please leave a message at this number, as the office is usually only manned on a Thursday morning from 11 a.m.”