The CoolTan charity, which began as a DIY creative community space in 1990 spearheaded by Michelle Baharier and her artist friends in South London, is helping thousands of people each year to address their inner anxieties through self-expression.

Michelle and her friends had all suffered mental health problems and discovered that the arts could be therapeutic for themselves and other people suffering the same conditions. As one participant claimed, “It’s rare to have a place you can come to and not feel it’s a hindrance or something you have to hide.”

Source: DIY Creative Community Helps People Cope with Mental Anguish

Photo credit: CoolTan Arts Charity Tumblr page