Mental Health

Rob Gee worked for twelve years as a registered nurse in inpatient mental health units around England, Scotland and Australia. Working mainly in adult mental health, he also worked in child and adolescent units, drug and alcohol services, dementia settings, eating disorders, early psychosis intervention and psychiatric intensive care.

Rob currently has three solo shows about mental health. One of these, Forget Me Not: The Alzheimer's Whodunnit, has been used by several NHS trusts to train healthcare staff in ethics and reporting concerns. He regularly leads bespoke comedy, improvisation, poetry and creative writing workshops in inpatient mental health settings, as well as for artists interested in mental health. He is lead artist for the Comedy Asylum and patron of Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project (LAMP).

Arts and Health

The Fruitcake Trilogy
- Three comedy/spoken word shows exploring the mental health system.
Creative Workshops
- Workshops in mental health settings. These bespoke workshops cover areas of comedy, poetry, creative writing, stage skills and improvisation.
Healthy Schools
- Rob has done a variety of healthy things in schools, from sketch comedy about composting to using improvisation skills to build resilience.
Conferences and events
- Rob regularly performs at health events and conferences around the U.K. Clients include The Department of Health, various NHS Trusts, Unison, Social Care Institute for Excellence, Care Services Improvement Partnership and Mind.
Training for Staff in Health and Social Care
- Developed in collaboration with Freedom to Speak Up, 'Forget Me Not - The Alzheimer's Whodunnit' is now part of a training package around ethics and reporting concerns.
Commissioned Writing
- Rob has been commissioned to write witty shows, poems and songs about everything from strategic commissioning to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Workshops for Artists Interested in Mental Health
- Themes include the therapeutic uses of creative activity, implications of labelling and stigmatization, ethical issues, user empowerment, social inclusion, points of good practice and troubleshooting.
Workplace Wellbeing
- Comedy and poetry can offer a dynamic and enjoyable new way to support the wellbeing of your staff. A workforce that thinks creatively can find it easier to solve problems, which ultimately leads to a happier workplace.

Mental Health Sector Testimonials

BrightSparks Arts
- Laughter, they say, is the best medicine. I feel stronger now.
- Client, BrightSparks Arts in Mental Health Group
Eleanor
- I remember when you came into the ward I was in. I was completely psychotic and didn't know what was real or not. What I do remember so vividly is you making me laugh so hard I felt alive for that moment in time. That very day I was able to see what was real and actually made it out for an escorted walk. I found me again through laughter and that was down to you. I just wanted to say a great big thank you.
- Former inpatient, Bradgate Mental Health Unit, Leicester
Welland OT 1
- A patient who was previously very withdrawn became more open and communicative as a result of attending the session. He was able to verbally express how participating in the group writing process was an effective coping strategy. He contributed to a poem about a local café in Kettering and was able to take it to the café to show them. This was a meaningful experience for him and had a positive impact on his self-esteem.
- Occupational Therapist, Welland Centre, Kettering
Lydia Towsey
- What I find most refreshing about Rob is his natural understanding of therapeutic power present in the creative arts. I met Rob as a patient, I left him as a poet.
- Arts and Health Coordinator, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Project Evaluation Report
- (One participant) rarely smiled, and was clearly uncomfortable through a large part of the workshops. However, through the workshops, and thanks to encouragement and work from the whole group she performed her jokes several times in short sections throughout the performance on the night with a beaming smile.
- Project Evaluation Report, BrightSparks Arts in Mental Health Group
BrightSparks Arts client
- I feel better about myself now because I feel like I have achieved something worthwhile. I thoroughly enjoyed coming.
- Participant, BrightSparks Arts in Mental Health Group
Inpatient - Beaumanor Eating
- I think that Rob is brilliant at making the most unconfident feel relaxed and let themselves go a bit. The groups are great to get to know each other a bit more. A good confidence builder!
- Inpatient, Langley Eating Disorder Unit, Leicester
Comedy Asylum 1
- I’ve been to so many places and never fit in. This is the first time I felt like I belonged. I nearly wasn’t coming, because I was so nervous, but I came away with a smile on my face. It’s opened my eyes to a whole different thing. I wish I’d known about this years ago!
- Participant, The Comedy Asylum

Mental Health

Arts and Health

The Fruitcake Trilogy

Creative Workshops

Healthy Schools

Conferences and events

Training for Staff in Health and Social Care

Commissioned Writing

Workshops for Artists Interested in Mental Health

Workplace Wellbeing

Mental Health Sector Testimonials

BrightSparks Arts

Eleanor

Welland OT 1

Lydia Towsey

Project Evaluation Report

BrightSparks Arts client

Inpatient - Beaumanor Eating

Comedy Asylum 1