Honouring The Past, Shaping The Future
10
October, 2025
Stories of Mental Health: Voices from the Past
Giving new life to the voices of three 19th-century psychiatric patients in York
To mark World Mental Health Day, The Retreat York hosted two inspiring creative workshops that gave new life to the voices of three 19th-century psychiatric patients whose words have echoed across time.
Led by local artists in collaboration with the Borthwick Institute for Archives, the sessions invited participants to explore original poems and unsent letters written by patients at The Retreat. Funded by Mentally Fit York, these powerful documents became the catalyst for an afternoon of art-making, kite-building, and open conversation – connecting York’s past approaches to mental health care with the stories and experiences of today.
A Powerful Setting for Reflection
Heritage Events and Engagement Manager Lucy South described the workshops as “a fantastic event in the perfect setting to mark World Mental Health Day. Seeing archive items in the Recreation Hall where their stories began felt incredibly special – and watching the artworks take shape, alongside the conversations they sparked, was genuinely moving.”
From Archives to Art Collection
The creative outcomes from the workshops – including artworks and kites inspired by the historic writings – will now become part of the University of York Art Collection, ensuring these rediscovered voices continue to inspire reflection, empathy and understanding for generations to come.
By bringing together heritage, creativity, and community, The Retreat York continues to celebrate its remarkable history while fostering meaningful dialogue about mental health – past, present, and future.
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