THIS is what impact looks like!

Val with her newly framed artwork

In a sea of confusing and sometimes overwhelming data, every now and then things happen which are so clear and powerful that there is no need for explanation and this is one of those things...

Val has been regularly attending our monthly Carers O'Clock sessions in Eastbourne for about 4 years now and she has become a great champion for arts activity supporting mental health and wellbeing. She has been caring for her husband for over 10 years after he experienced a brain injury. When she first came to one of our sessions, encouraged by a friend, she was somewhat broken, lonely, low in self confidence and bored. Gradually, she found her creative spark and over time has emerged as an ambitious, bold and fearless artist, exploring all forms of visual art and writing poetry which speaks to her experience as a carer - honest, heartfelt and often funny.

In May, she was encouraged to perform at a Writer's Block event in Brighton alongside our patron Michael Attenborough and award-winning poet Woodzy (for the first time in her life in her 70s!) and she has since returned to perform and is fast-becoming an audience favourite. Finding her creative voice has been transformational for Val and this week we were delighted to receive this email from her;

'Firstly, thank you for last week at The Skep, makes me so happy just being with all the lovely people.

Last night I could hardly sleep for the mounting excitement.

Today I collected my first ever professionally framed painting that I'd done.

It's my visual interpretation of my lovely husband's damaged brain.

I'm literally buzzing and if the Culture Shift team hadn't taught me how to believe that anything is possible, today would not have ever happened.

It'll be exhibited in our local horticultural show this weekend, my prize is that I've done it.

So a heartfelt thanks to you all.

Love Val.'

Need we say more?