Arts for the Blues
Evidence-based Creative Psychological Therapy for Depression
Arts for the Blues is a group programme incorporating a range of creative and expressive therapies, developed through collaboration of staff from Salford University and Edge Hill University. It has been designed and has been shown to be effective for helping with mild to moderate depression and anxiety, as well as overall improvement in wellbeing and mental health.
Who is this for?
The Arts for the Blues programme offered at The Sand & Sound Centre will be for adults (18+) who would like to enhance their wellbeing, connect with other people, develop their creativity and playfulness.
Your Facilitators
The Arts For the Blues programme at The Sand & Sound Centre will be delivered by Masha Bennett and Kate Thorpe, both experienced therapists working creatively.
Examples of activities in the Arts for the Blues
Mark-making
Use of symbols
Sound & Music
Sound & Music
Use of symbols
Sound & Music
Use of symbols
Use of symbols
Use of symbols
Sandtray
Sandtray
Use of symbols
Talking
Sandtray
Movement
Movement
Sandtray
Movement
Storytelling
Storytelling
Storytelling
Colour
Storytelling
Storytelling
Clay
Storytelling
Group Games
Group Games
Everything is optional
Group Games
Reflection
Everything is optional
Everything is optional
Everything is optional
Everything is optional
Everything is optional
All activities are optional and you can sit out of any exercises if you are not comfortable with something.
Practicalities
Dates and Times
Arts for the Blues programme will start on Thursday 25th September 2025, and continue weekly 7pm to 9pm for 10 weeks (with a half-term break on 30th October), finishing on 4th December.
We will strongly encourage participants to attend all sessions, save for illnesses and emergencies - please note that all sessions, including the missed ones, are payable.
Venue
The group will run at The Sand & Sound Centre which is located at:
Digital House, 35 Ridling Lane, Hyde, Tameside SK14 1NP
Full directions and parking information later:
https://sandsoundcentre.co.uk/directions-and-travel
Other practicalities
Group size: We expect there will be 8-10 people in the group.
Refreshments: Hot drinks (tea, coffee, herbal teas), biscuits, chocolate, fruit and nuts will be available (special dietary requirements will be catered for).
Costs: Standard fee £295 for the 10 week programme; concessionary fee £195. Instalments can be arranged.
Research data
Please note that in 2026 The Sand & Sound Centre will likely be collaborating with Salford University on researching the efficacy of the Arts for the Blues programme. Whilst the 2025 will not yet be part of the formal research, we will be gathering some data as a trial run, bu asking you to complete some short tickbox questionnaires (fully anonymised) at the beginning and end of the programme, and on completion of the group we will invite you to attend a focus group (which will double up as a celebration!) to collect feedback on your experience of the programme. You are not obliged to participate but it will be very helpful if you do so.
Booking Guidelines, Terms & Conditions
Booking form
To reserve your place, please complete the booking form below. This will help us understand what you would like to get from the programme, whether it is the right fit for you, and how we can best support your wellbeing and participation.
Payments
We request that you pay at the same time as booking your place (see the payment links below) - if after having an introductory chat, we jointly decide that this programme is not a good fit for you, we will refund you in full.
If you are unable to pay the standard fee, we offer a concessionary fee, and an option to pay in instalments for both. If you are experiencing financial hardship and the concessionary fee is unaffordable for you, please get in touch and we will try to find a solution.
Refunds
If you change your mind about taking part in the programme before it starts on 25th September, or we feel that it is not the right fit for you, we will refund any payments you have made.
Please note that once the programme has started on 25th September, the fees are non-refundable and must be paid in full. Tthere will be no refunds for missed sessions.
Introductory Chat
Once you have booked, Kate or Masha will be in touch to arrange an introductory chat, for you to ask any questions about the programme, for us to find out a little more about what you'd like to get out of it, and ensure that this type of groupwork is suitable for you.
If at this stage we feel that Arts for the Blues is not the right type of programme for you, we will let you know, suggest some alternatives, and refund any fees you have already paid.
Attendance
We request that you attend every session, save for illnesses and emergencies. There will be no refunds for missed sessions.
Research Participation
We expect that The Sand & Sound Centre will form part of research into efficacy of Arts for the Blues programme at Salford University from 2026. As a trial run, we will begin gathering some data in 2025 via anonymised tickbox questionnaires before the programme starts and also at the end. This is optional, and you are not obliged to take part.