| Summary: | ABSTRACT
Background: In recent years the arts and health agenda has experienced considerable expansion in the UK, against a backdrop of increasing social inequality and rising incidence of mental health problems.
Aims: This case study aims to explore the impact of a community arts project on young excluded individuals, in an inner city of the Midlands, alongside the perspectives of professionals working within the arts sector.
Method: In this qualitative case study all participants were interviewed using an unstructured interview technique and all interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using coding methods.
Findings: The findings highlight a clear distinction between what the young people shared about their experience of involvement in the community arts project and what was discussed by the professionals regarding the potential personal and wider social benefits of participatory arts. The instrumental nature of the arts is discussed, and the relationship between the professional's enthusiasm towards participatory arts and the reality of grass roots work is critically explored.
Conclusion: The implications for mental health nursing in terms of more creative approaches to mental health promotion and care are discussed and the limitations of this case study are recognised, alongside recommendations for future research.
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