September 24, 2026 - 221 views
A new documentary exploring the impact of an arts programme at a secure mental health unit has been screened in Colwyn Bay.
The film, made by community arts organisation TAPE, documents a three-year project at Tŷ Llywelyn Medium Secure Unit, a specialist psychiatric service in North Wales run by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The special screening took place at TAPE Community Music and Film in Colwyn Bay and brought together people involved in the project, including health board staff, artists and participants.
The programme was funded by the Arts Council of Wales and the Baring Foundation and used creative activities to support people receiving care at the unit.
As part of the project, patients and staff worked alongside professional artists to create and perform a play called Hope, based on the story of Ernest Shackleton and his Antarctic expeditions.
The production explored themes of survival, purpose and hope and was co-written by patients and staff.
Around 50 people were involved, including 23 patients, who took on roles in acting, music production, costume and set design. The Occupational Therapy Team and ward staff supported participants throughout the process.
Betsi Cadwaladr says an independent evaluation of the third year of the project found improvements in patient confidence, wellbeing, social connection, motivation and engagement.
Will Williams, Head of Service Delivery and Clinical Operations, said the creative sessions had helped patients express themselves and communicate beyond their diagnosis.
He also said staff had reported improvements in their own wellbeing and relationships with patients, while the health board had seen a reduction in incidents on the unit, reduced medication in some cases and faster transitions to lower-secure settings.
Following the screening, those attending were able to hear directly from people involved in the project during a question-and-answer session.
The discussion was led by Dyfed Edwards, Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, who said the programme demonstrated how arts and culture could support wellbeing, inclusion and positive therapeutic environments.
Ceri Charles Durrant, Relationship Manager for Arts, Health and Wellbeing at the Arts Council of Wales, said the Arts and Minds programme had demonstrated the potential for creativity to support mental health and wellbeing within NHS settings.
Steve Swindon, Founder and Creative Director of TAPE, said it had been a privilege for the organisation to help make the documentary and involve participants in telling the story of the production.
The documentary provides an insight into how an arts project developed inside a secure mental health setting, and the experiences of the patients, staff and artists who took part.
