Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government between March 2020 and December 2021 imposed restrictions on freedoms of movement and meeting with others outside existing households. We herein describe the actions taken by Mental Fight Club (MFC), a London mental health charity, in response to COVID-19 lockdowns. From March 2020 onward, MFC created a program of online activities based on their previous in-person program. One of these online activities was a project funded by the Wellcome Trust to co-produce an animated film, Our Journey, drawing on creative arts and musical activities to help meet the challenges of living in lockdown. Findings from an online survey of participants during the process of creating the animation, and telephone interviews following completion of the film provide clear demonstration of benefits for mental well-being, creative expression, and social connection experienced from this project.