‘Recovery through Ceramics’ Programme shortlisted for the Museums Change Lives Awards

The Shipley Art Gallery has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award presented by the Museums Association.

  • A photograph of three display cases full of ceramics

    ‘Recovery through Ceramics’ exhibition

    The works on display were made by participants in the Recovery through Ceramics programme.

  • A participant using a pottery wheel to make a bowl

    Using the wheel

    Participants used different techniques to make their own pieces.

  • A photograph of a variety of works people are making, such as mugs, cups, and other vessels

    Works in progress

    The participants work with ceramicists alongside a local lived experience recovery organisation.

  • A photograph of three ceramic works in a display case, showing a robin, an acorn, and a conker

    Finished works

    The participants' finished works were showcased at the Shipley this year.

Shortlist for the Best Small Museum Project Award

The Shipley Art Gallery has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award presented by the Museums Association. The Museums Change Lives Awards celebrate the achievements of museums that are making a difference to the lives of their audiences and communities across the UK.   

The Shipley Art Gallery’s ‘Recovery through Ceramics’ programme has been shortlisted for the Best Small Museum Project Award, which recognises the best project at museums with an annual turnover of less than £320,000.  

Recovery through Ceramics is run in partnership with local lived experience recovery organisation Recovery Connections and Bensham Grove Pottery. The sessions take place weekly, inspired by the Shipley’s ceramics collection. The programme works with people in recovery to develop new creative and practical skills, including working with ceramicists to learn different ceramic techniques and creating their own pieces. 

Recovery through Ceramics supports the Shipley’s mission to help Gateshead people with their wellbeing. This programme is particularly important to the local community as according to latest ONS figures, more people die as a result of drug use in the North East than anywhere else in the England.  

The participants co-curated a two-week exhibition of their work at the Shipley in June 2024 as well as co-curating a display of work from the gallery’s ceramic collection in its community cabinet.  

The programme aims to increase participants’ confidence and wellbeing whilst promoting peer support and resilience. They also learn professional skills through practical research, curatorial work, and gallery interpretation activities, which can help towards future employment. 

Evaluation from participants and recovery workers shows there has been a marked difference in their wellbeing, confidence, and creative ability. Participants support each other in problem solving and can see a connection between being resilient in their recovery and creativity.  

Participants have seen the benefit of being creative in supporting their recovery and have signed up to become museum volunteers and lived experience mentors for future participants. 

Recovery through Ceramics was funded through an NHS Mental Health Transformation grant, aiming to support community-based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing, or help people deal with, or avoid, the distress of mental ill health. 

This year’s Museums Change Lives Awards will take place in Leeds on Tuesday 12 November 2024 as part of the Museums Association’s annual conference.   

Check out our blog

Find out more on a blog post written by the programme organiser, Ben Jones, on supporting people with experience of addiction.