SOLA Arts

Introduction

SOLA Arts is a UK nonprofit organisation with a charity number of 1128459. It operates as a participant-led charity, focusing on supporting vulnerable and isolated individuals, particularly displaced people and those with mental health difficulties. The charity harnesses the power of art and creativity to foster community integration, alleviate poverty, and enhance well-being.

Mission and Objectives

SOLA Arts' mission is to bring communities together through art, while addressing the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers. The charity seeks to empower its participants by providing therapeutic programs, education, and support, aiming to improve their quality of life and facilitate independence.

Programs and Activities

• Art Therapy and Psychotherapy: SOLA Arts provides a range of art therapy services, including art psychotherapy, which serves as a foundational element of its therapeutic approach. This form of therapy allows individuals, particularly those with language difficulties or anxiety about verbal communication, to express themselves non-verbally[3][5].
• Community Engagement: The charity organizes various community-based arts engagement activities to promote cultural exchange and understanding.
• Support Services: SOLA Arts offers a variety of support services including social worker interventions, welfare benefit guidance, resettlement support, employability training, and business start-up support[5].

Key Initiatives

• Establishment of Free Art Psychotherapy: In 2012, SOLA Arts introduced Liverpool's first free art psychotherapy program supported by NHS and other health organizations[1].
• Festival 31: The charity co-organized Festival 31 in Liverpool, aimed at using art to challenge racism and xenophobia[1].
• Collaborations: SOLA Arts collaborates with European arts therapists and other organizations to support asylum seekers and refugees across Europe[1].

Impact

SOLA Arts plays a vital role in the lives of its participants by offering a platform for creative expression and mental health support. Its projects are designed to address the specific needs of its target communities, ensuring that individuals have access to non-verbal mental health support and therapeutic activities in a community setting[3].

[1] https://www.solaarts.org [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1128459&subId=0 [3] https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/projects/26118-sola-arts-art-therapy-in-the-community [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/4042691/full-print [5] https://wonderful.org/charities/1128459