SANE’s art awards scheme inspires people with mental illness

National mental health charity SANE has launched a new round of its visual arts awards to nurture people’s artistic ambition.

The SANE Creative Awards Scheme aims to improve the quality of life for those with mental health problems, their families and carers, by helping them to fulfil their creative potential.

Applications are judged on their artistic merit, clarity of aim and financial need, with awards ranging from £100-£300. Applicants are assessed by a panel of representatives from the charity based in Islington, London, including professional artists provided by the Open College of the Arts who offer valuable feedback, guidance and advice.

Awards are given for proposals in visual art, which includes all forms of painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, mixed media and digital art. The scheme was launched in 2019 and more than 500 awards granted to artists who have submitted work of outstanding quality.

Marjorie Wallace, founder and chief executive of SANE, said: “The response to the scheme is always remarkable and reveals extraordinary lost or neglected talent. People who are mentally fragile need encouragement for their inner resources and many who receive our awards progress to discover new outlets and strength to pursue careers.”

SANE runs a helpline, SANEline, offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information every day of the year, and is working in partnership on the scheme with the Open College of the Arts, which is part of The Open University Group.

Award-winner Paul Chappell is using his grant towards building a portfolio. He said: “I’m really chuffed and can’t believe it really. I have been a builder all my life. When I went into prison for 10 months, I lost my flat and everything I own. While inside, I realised that I had been doing something I never liked, so when I came out, I wanted to pursue something I enjoy.

“When I was young, I wanted to be a graphic designer, but it never worked out – art helps with my ADHD in focussing.’

“This picture was one of the first I drew in prison. The bar is somewhere I used to go in east London, so I drew it from memory. The man in the picture is not someone I knew, he was someone who was at a crossroads. Was he going to have another drink? What was the news in the letter? What was he going to do next?”

As part of the scheme, the Charles Bracken Award is given for exceptional talent in communicating the relationship between creative achievement and mental illness. The winner receives £1000 and is selected from a shortlist of all applicants by Charles’s widow, Madeline Bracken. Charles was a founding director and past chair who supported and pioneered SANE’s development.

To apply, visit www.sane.org.uk/how-we-help/sane-creative-awards-scheme and return application forms to Thomas Andrews, SCAS Project Officer, by email to tandrews@sane.org.uk or by post to Thomas Andrews, SANE, St Mark’s Studios, 14 Chillingworth Road, Islington, London, N7 8QJ.

Applications should be received by  Thursday, October 1, 2026.