Healing through art

Littlefoot and Company
Caring. Passionate. Giving.

Josh Carell is using the power of art to help improve mental health.

Five years ago, he founded Littlefoot and Company with his sister Eden, a qualified art therapist to provide free art therapy to the community.

A range of events and workshops are on offer to young people and adults, including visual arts and spoken word and poetry workshops.

"Making art in the company of others or sharing your art allows for social connection and a sense of being valued. It can allow for healing and growth," Josh says.

Thanks to Josh, many people in the community feel they have more support and social connections, and their well-being has improved.

It's taken a lot of strength and dedication to find organisations and groups willing to share their space for the workshops.

Financial support is also an issue, so Josh coordinates popular outdoor movie nights in Berwick's botanic gardens, which help fund the free art programs.

Josh and the company have worked hard to continue supporting the community during the COVID-19 pandemic through online programs.

"Art therapy is a practical resource for mental health preventative measures and is essential for developing minds to cope and comprehend the challenges we face," he says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Littlefoot and Company will be able to rent a dedicated space for its free art therapy programs for a year.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here