Report on The Sketcher Project: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals Through Community Art

Introduction

The Sketcher Project, a weekly art workshop held at Insole Court in Cardiff, provides a therapeutic and inclusive environment for individuals living with brain injuries. This initiative, run by artist Beth Morris, demonstrates a significant contribution to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering well-being, reducing inequality, and building community partnerships. This report analyses the project’s structure, participant experiences, and its direct alignment with the global sustainability agenda.

Project Impact and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sketcher Project’s core mission and outcomes are intrinsically linked to the principles of sustainable development, particularly in the areas of health, equality, and community building.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The project directly addresses SDG 3 by promoting mental and emotional well-being for a vulnerable population. The workshops serve as a form of art therapy, offering a structured and supportive outlet for individuals navigating the long-term effects of brain injuries.

• Therapeutic Escape: Participant Alex Hughes, who sustained a brain injury from an attack, describes the class as “an escape” and a “retreat” that allows him to focus and find respite from his daily challenges.
• Reducing Isolation: For participants like Simone Hughes, who experienced a brain haemorrhage, the project combats the loneliness that can accompany such life-altering events. She states that meeting others with similar experiences made her feel less alone and “normal.”
• Shared Understanding: The environment allows participants to openly share their good and bad days with peers who have a unique understanding of their situation, which Manon Skyrme notes “means a lot.”

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The initiative actively works to reduce inequalities by providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive space for people with disabilities (SDG Target 10.2). It breaks down social and economic barriers that often lead to exclusion.

• Combating Stigma: The project offers a non-judgmental space, which is critical for participants like Alex, who notes that his physical impairments can lead to public misperceptions.
• Financial Accessibility: The classes are funded by Stokes Case Management, making them free to attend. This removes financial barriers and ensures that support is available based on need, not the ability to pay.
• Fostering Inclusion: The project creates a “family” atmosphere, as described by instructor Beth Morris, where individuals are valued as part of a supportive community, regardless of their physical or cognitive challenges.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success and sustainability of The Sketcher Project are a testament to effective collaboration, embodying the spirit of SDG 17. The initiative is built on a multi-stakeholder partnership.

1. Corporate Sponsorship: Stokes Case Management, a company working with clients with brain injuries, provides the necessary funding to ensure the classes remain free for all participants.
2. Community Leadership: Artist Beth Morris provides the creative direction and facilitation, creating the welcoming and therapeutic environment that is central to the project’s success.
3. Community Infrastructure: The workshops are hosted at Insole Court, a community hub in Cardiff, grounding the project within the local community and providing a stable, accessible venue.

Participant Case Studies

The experiences of the participants highlight the profound impact of the project on individual lives and its connection to promoting well-being and inclusion.

Alex Hughes

• Sustained a traumatic brain injury at age 16 following an assault.
• The injury disrupted his educational and career plans and left him with lasting physical weakness, fatigue, and concentration difficulties.
• He has attended the workshop for seven years, valuing it as a focused, non-judgmental environment that supports his well-being.

Simone Hughes

• Experienced a brain haemorrhage in 2020 due to an undiagnosed arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
• Underwent extensive rehabilitation to relearn how to walk and talk and now lives with acquired ataxia.
• Finds the class comforting because of the shared understanding among peers and reports that her life has improved through the new social connections and experiences the project provides.

Manon Skyrme

• A former doctor who sustained a brain injury after a serious fall in 2017.
• Views the art class as a crucial structure for her week and a source of a new, supportive friend group.
• Has achieved notable success with her art, with work displayed at Liberty London, demonstrating the project’s role in fostering new skills and purpose.

Conclusion

The Sketcher Project is an exemplary model of a community-based initiative that delivers targeted support while advancing broader Sustainable Development Goals. By fostering health and well-being (SDG 3), reducing inequalities (SDG 10), and leveraging strong partnerships (SDG 17), the project creates a resilient and inclusive community space. The success of its participants, showcased in events like the Inspired at Insole Summer Exhibition, underscores the transformative power of art as a tool for healing, empowerment, and sustainable community development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses issues that are directly relevant to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary goals identified are:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s central theme is the experience of individuals living with brain injuries and the role of a community art class in supporting their mental and emotional well-being. It details the health challenges faced by Alex, Simone, and Manon, including brain haemorrhages, physical weakness, fatigue, and conditions like ataxia. The art class serves as a therapeutic outlet and a support system, directly contributing to their overall well-being.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article highlights the social exclusion and judgment faced by people with disabilities. Alex mentions that he sometimes feels judged because his limp makes him “look like I’m drunk all the time.” The art class, “The Sketcher Project,” creates an inclusive and non-judgmental environment, empowering individuals with brain injuries and promoting their social inclusion. By providing a free and safe space, it works to reduce the inequalities they face.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is relevant due to the origin of Alex’s injury. The article states he “was hit over the head with a bottle” in an unprovoked attack. This act of violence is a direct concern of SDG 16, which aims to reduce violence and its impacts on individuals and society.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Explanation: The article strongly emphasizes the promotion of mental health and well-being. The art class is described as an “escape,” a “retreat,” and a place where participants feel “normal” and “less alone.” Testimonials from Simone (“It’s very comforting because they know what I’m on about”) and Manon (“It gives a structure to my week and something to look forward to”) show how the project directly fosters mental well-being for individuals recovering from serious health conditions.
2. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • Explanation: The Sketcher Project is a clear example of an initiative that promotes the social inclusion of persons with disabilities. The article notes that at the class, Alex “never feels judged.” The formation of a community where members are described as “friends” and “family” demonstrates the project’s success in empowering its participants and combating the social isolation that can accompany a brain injury. The fact that the classes are “free to attend” also removes economic barriers to participation.
3. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Explanation: Alex’s story is a direct illustration of the consequences of violence. The article details how the attack he suffered at 16 led to a “brain haemorrhage,” an induced coma, and long-term health issues like “weakness down his left side.” His experience serves as a case study for the devastating and lasting impact of physical violence, which this target aims to reduce.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several qualitative and implied indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For Target 3.4 (Promote mental health and well-being):
  • Qualitative Testimonials: The participants’ own words serve as powerful indicators of improved well-being. Phrases like “It makes you feel normal,” “It’s like an escape,” and finding the group “very comforting” suggest a positive impact on mental health.
  • Existence of Support Programs: The existence and regular functioning of “The Sketcher Project” as a “weekly art class for people living with a brain injury” is an indicator of community-based services that promote well-being.
• For Target 10.2 (Promote social inclusion):
  • Participation in Community Activities: The regular attendance of Alex, Simone, and Manon at the art class is a direct indicator of their participation in a community group. The article states Alex has been a “regular ever since” the first class seven years ago.
  • Perception of Inclusion: An implied indicator is the self-reported feeling of not being judged. Alex’s statement that he “never feels judged” at the class, in contrast to his experiences in public, measures the success of the inclusive environment.
  • Accessibility of Services: The fact that the classes are “free to attend” because they are funded by a company is an indicator of the removal of economic barriers to inclusion.
• For Target 16.1 (Reduce violence):
  • Incidence of Physical Violence: The article provides a specific case study of violence. The description of Alex being “hit over the head with a bottle” serves as an anecdotal data point that falls under the official indicator measuring victims of physical assault.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com