Creative Health in Focus: Frames of Mind
As part of the Creative Newham Cultural Producers programme, four teams of producers collaborated with local organisations to explore pressing social justice issues through creative, community-led events or projects. Today, we’re spotlighting the theme of: ‘Arts & Health’, in partnership with not-for-profit participatory arts organisation Frames of Mind and guided by lead artists Bo Chapman and Zoe Flynn.
Digital self-portrait, workshop, Stratford Library.
Based in Newham, Frames of Mind uses stop-motion animation, filmmaking and digital arts to support community wellbeing and mental health through meaningful creative engagement. With a particular focus on Heritage and digital inclusion, they work with isolated and vulnerable groups, including families living with dementia and those experiencing mental ill health. Frames of Mind supports communities to reclaim the language of media to tell their own stories promoting advocacy, connecting across cultures and generations.
Newham Heritage Month - Inspector of Nuisances.
The group of Cultural Producers working with Frames of Mind had been tasked with designing a small-scale, high-impact event or project that shines a light on health disparities in Newham. From mental health to life expectancy and access to healthcare, these inequities are often deepened by racial and structural injustice. The aim is to co-create something bold, collaborative and imaginative, an event that amplifies unheard voices while helping to inform future funding and programming for the organisation.
Drawing on Bo and Zoe’s decades of creative practice and their ethos of working with rather than for communities, this project offers a powerful example of what creative health can look like in action.
We’ll be following the team’s progress closely over the next few weeks, sharing behind-the-scenes moments, early ideas, and reflections from the community. Stay tuned to see how the work unfolds, and how animation, storytelling, and co-creation can become powerful tools for change.
About Frames of Mind:
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH CREATIVE DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
Frames of Mind is a charitable participatory arts organisation based in Newham, East London, established by Zoe Flynn and Bo Chapman in 2019.
We deliver stop frame animation, film and digital arts programmes to support the health and wellbeing of participants, offering unique opportunities to learn new skills, whilst engaging in meaningful creative processes.
Frames of Mind is shaped by a genuine understanding of local communities and their needs and deeply rooted in Newham through their people, partnerships, and purpose.
Contributing directly to Newham’s Cultural Strategy and Health & Wellbeing Programme, Frames of Mind plays a vital role in promoting equity, helping to strengthen the borough’s social fabric through the power of creative participation.
About Bo Chapman:
Bo Chapman, Lead Artist, M.A. Art History Edinburgh University :
Ecole internationale de theatre Jacques Lecoq Paris
Bo has an eclectic background in Art, Music and Performance. Before co-founding Salmagundi Films in 2004 she worked as an Art Director and Stylist for stills, music videos, commercials and short films as well as being a singer-songwriter and performer. Frames of Mind is a consolidation of her experience and interests in using the power of images, objects, film, animation and digital media, to challenge stigma, communicate and explore our shared human experience.
About Zoe Flynn:
Zoe Flynn, Lead Artist, Westminster University B.A. Hons, Photography, Film and Video.
After graduating she worked in the television and advertising industry. Zoe worked on a variety of productions including Emmy Award winning children’s programme for Channel 4 ‘Beat That’, documentaries and cinema trailers. Before founding Salmagundi films she ran her own production company, Eyesaw Productions, specialising in social documentaries, multi media projects and training in filmmaking.
