Stelfox had always enjoyed painting and drawing but lacked motivation to get going with it alone at home. Arts on Prescription in Stockport, Greater Manchester, gave him the opportunity to get into it and he is now able to enjoy doing his work at home. He finds it an absorbing activity and a distraction during difficult times. He is currently studying creative therapies and hopes to be able to use art to help others Photograph: Colin Stelfox/Colin Stelfox
When Corris started the Arts on Prescription course, she was a complete beginner and developed her skills and confidence over the course. This painting, a rural scene near Leek in Staffordshire, took several months to complete and gave Corris the opportunity to learn new skills. She now attends Artistic Moves, run by former members of AOP. Corris says regularly attending AOP improved her wellbeing. Photograph: Anne Corris/Anne Corris
Bettany says: "I call this piece 'A portrait of the Stranger as an Artist'. It is my first attempt at self-portrait and although I feel I have captured the essence of myself, there is also the odd feeling that it might be someone else pretending to be me. Also, I went into this exercise with the sense that I was only pretending to be an artist. That had all changed by the finish." Photograph: Steve Bettany/Steve Bettany
The artist behind this work says: "I have loved art for as long as I can remember and decided to combine this with my interest in psychology. Rather than ‘suffering’ my mental ill health, I use it to my advantage as a basis for my painting, and explore my personality through various art media, creative writing and drama." Photograph: Anonymous artist/Anonymous artist
"Art for me is very inspiring. I find it helps me with my anxiety, as I am absorbed in my work and relaxed. I also find the company of other people, who also enjoy art, very uplifting." Photograph: Patricia Marshman
The artist behind this work says: "Art is a form of escapism for me, a relief from the boredom of life. It makes me feel alive." Photograph: Anonymous artist
The 34-year-old artist says: “It feels good to come to Roshni Ghar to do arts and crafts and make friends here. When I finish on a piece of work and look at it, I know that I am capable of doing something worthwhile. Roshni Ghar is our only safe space, and I wish there could be more places like this everywhere to help more women, just like it helped me." Photograph: Anonymous artist
The 18-year-old who created this says: “I was asked to pick something that was important to me, so I choose the three main religions in Keighley to focus my art work on. I found doing the work really relaxing and enjoyable. I had the chance to interact with other people, share my views and try something different. I felt proud when it was finished. You look at it and think wow, have I really done that?!” Photograph: Anonymous artist
The 43-year-old Roshni Ghar service user who made this says: “Making something with my hands of my choice is a really soothing experience. It distracts me from negative things in my life, and when I finish creating something life doesn’t seem too bad after all.” Photograph: Anonymous artist
