Service Users at the Peter Hodgkinson Centre, Lincoln, have been celebrating completing a series of short films that they have devised, filmed and edited as part of the GEMINI creative arts project.

This year the GEMINI Arts Project took place in the Lens Media Department, The School of Art, Architecture and Design, Thomas Parker House, The University of Lincoln, and ran from May to July for half a day per week. Service Users from Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – which provides mental health services in the county – took part in the project.

The group recently held an event to mark the completion of their movies. The Project was a joint initiative between the Occupational Therapy department at the Peter Hodgkinson Centre, Lincoln, the NHS Trust, the University of Lincoln and Jaki Fisher, a film maker.

Service users Gillian Richardson, Robert Glenton, Andrew Milburn, Denise, Ade Clifford, Lyn Pidd, Wendy Olsen and Moo all created films on a variety of topics and each in their own style.

Ade Clifford produced the film ‘Once Upon A Time in Lincoln’ which explored the thoughts and opinions of three members of the public from different generations towards a number of serious and light-hearted topics.

Ade said: “I asked them about wars of their time – World War Two, the Falklands and the Gulf War – as well as about their religious beliefs. I also found out about their favourite holiday destinations and favourite television programmes.

There was a variety of different responses and there was a clear age gap in the answers. It was interesting to see people’s viewpoints and explore some fascinating characters.

“I was a first time director and I really got into it. Using the camera was fine although the editing was a bit tougher. I am really happy with the finished film.”

The GEMINI Project was first developed in 1995 as a joint arts initiative between the Trust’s Occupational Therapy Department, the Peter Hodgkinson Centre, the Lincoln School of Art and Design (which is now part of the University of Lincoln) and local professional artists.

It was designed to offer service users with mental health difficulties, the unique opportunity to study and explore learning, art and creativity, in a community-based and supportive environment.

Trust Senior Technical Instructor Terry Overton said: “Studying in the School of Lens Media was a great opportunity for the GEMINI group to explore creative film and video techniques. Students feel that the Project has been invaluable in building on confidence, self-esteem and in developing artistic and other essential life skills.

“Taking part in the project may give students the confidence to join local art groups for day or evening classes. It may also help in supporting an application to access further education opportunities or facilitate a return to work at some point in the future. For many, the important development of social networks and valuable friendships has been invaluable.”

The films will form part of the annual GEMINI Arts Exhibition that takes place in Lincoln Central Library between 11-15 February 2008. Further details about this event will be published in the coming months.