I have an account. I can't sign in.

Make sure you are entering your email address and password, exactly as entered at registration. If you have forgotten your password, see 'forgotten password' FAQ

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Forgotten Password?

Click on the forgotten password link within the login box. We'll send you a new password to the email address you registered with. Don't forget to chack your Spam box if you don't receive your password immediately.

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What's the advantage of registering?

Registering allows you to use Start2 to its greatest potential. You can:

• Download any exercise to do at home

• Create a 'Recipe for a Good Mood' animation and share with family and friends online

• Create your own Bottle of Happiness

• Upload your work to our communal galleries

• Receive our occasional newsletter

• Set yourself goals, save them and come back to review them

• Fill in reflective diaries, to view at any time

• Take your Wellbeing Temperature, save it, and create a map of your Wellbeing Temperatures over time, to which you can refer at any time

• By registering you’ll automatically have your own private space (‘Ownzone’) to keep a record of what you’ve done, to store and manage the work you’ve done online and to store, view and manage any images you’ve uploaded

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How do I change my password?

Your password can be changed, by signing in and going to your Ownzone and selecting the right hand button labelled 'My Account Settings.'  (If you've forgotten your password, please request another one by clicking on 'Log in' and the 'click here' button next to the sentence 'Forgotten your password'. You'll be given a password which you can use to sign in - then you can go to the Ownzone and 'My Account Settings' to change to a password of your choice).

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Can I share my password?

Yes. We understand that people will use this wellbeing resource in a variety of ways. Some of you will want to share information from your private Ownzone, such as Wellbeing Temperature results or a Reflective Diary entry, with professionals with whom you are working; some of you may simply wish to share your work with friends or family. If you share your password and then decide you’d like to change it for any reason, this is simple to do by clicking on 'my start2 settings' in your ownzone if you need to.

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How do I register?

Click on the register button located at the top of the left hand side of each page within the website. Then fill in all compulsory fields, which are highlighted with a *. You must agree to have read and abide by the start2 terms and conditions. You can do this by ticking the check box under the terms and condidtions box. Then, submit this information and you'll be registered to the start2 website.

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How do I print instruction worksheets?

PDF instructions are available for all activities apart from our interactive features. These are always found on the first page of the activity in the bottom left-hand side, within an orange box, labelled 'Downloads'.  You will need to be registered to download activities. Registration is quick, easy and private.

• Download the worksheet you would like to print
• Then click on the print button or icon in your browser

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How do I share my Recipe For a Good Mood with someone?

Once you have completed your Recipe For a Good Mood animation click on 'Save' and give your animation a title. You cannot share your animation if it hasn't been saved. Click on 'Share', then follow the onscreen instructions. You will need the email address of the person you wish to share your animation with.

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Are my details confidential?

Yes.  They are confidential to you, and only you and the Start2 service administrators can view them. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information about Confidentiality, Information Governance and Information Security

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The Recipe For a Good Mood animation generator doesn't fit on the page

If you're having problems viewing the whole Recipe For a Good Mood animation generator on your computer, it could be that your screen resolution causes content to drop off the page. You can check your screen resolution here (opens in a new window)

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How do I share my Media Album with someone?

When in the Media Album creator. Click on 'share', then follow the onscreen instructions

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Can I upload my own music tracks to the media album?

You are currently unable to upload your own tracks to the media album.

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How do I download Adobe Reader?

To download Adobe Reader visit http://get.adobe.com/reader and click the ‘Download now’ button.

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I'm having issues uploading my images

You do not need to re-size your images, they will be automatically resized with our upload tool. They do need to be in jpg format.
You can manage your uploaded images for our Start Galleries in your Ownzone. You need to be registered and signed in to do this. Images uploaded to the Media Album will not be stored in your Ownzone.

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Why can't I upload images from my iphone or ipad?

iPhone's native browser Safari currently does not support file uploads, if you wish to be able to upload from your iPhone/iPad please visit the App store on your phone and purchase the iCab Mobile Web Browser.
 
 More information can be found here:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/icab-mobile-web-browser/id308111628?mt=8

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How do I change my personal details?

Your personal details can be changed, by going to your ownzone and selecting the right hand button labelled 'My Account Settings'

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Why can't I use the Animation Generator or Media Album

You will need a flash player to support these interactive features.

Get Flash player.

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I need help/I know someone who needs help - where do I go?

If you or someone you know is experiencing stress or distress, for whatever reason; or facing challenges adapting to illness, disability, or lifestyle changes, having knowledge of organisations and professionals who could help can be a comfort. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it may provide you with an initial direction.

Counselling – www.bacp.co.uk  

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – www.babcp.com

Beating the Blues - www.beatingtheblues.co.uk

Carer Support – www.nhs.uk/carersdirect

Living life to the full - www.llttf.com

Mind - http://www.mind.org.uk

Occupational Therapy - www.cot.co.uk

Psychology – www.bps.org.uk

Samaritans – www.samaritans.org

The Royal College of Psychiatrists - www.rcpsych.ac.uk

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I like the self help/ life coaching sections of the website, how can I find more help with this?

You may like to try the British Association of Occupational Therapy and Collage of Occupational Therapists - www.cot.co.uk

Here you will find information about occupational therapy and how it can work for you, whether as an individual, business…

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I'd like to chat to other people using this site, how do I do that?

You can join our Twitter, Facebook and Youtube pages where you will be able to join and contribute to feeds, and message people.

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I'd like to give you some feedback about the Start2 resource

We welcome feedback about the Start2 wellbeing service. Please fill in the contact form found here. If you would like an answer to a non-technical question relating to Start2 please use this contact form.

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I want to share my creative writing online (forums)

You can share your creative writing in our creative writing collection.  All uploads are subject to monitoring and may not be accepted if they are considered inappropriate. You will hear from us if this is the case.
If it’s feedback and more that you’d like, then there are a wealth of creative writing forums online where you can share your work. Here are a few you could try or you could create your own forum here.

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I am stuck on one of the exercises, how can I get help?

At the moment we are unfortunately not able to offer individual advice about art, wellbeing or careers. However, you may find that looking at the examples on our pages gives you ideas as to how to overcome a problem. There are no right or wrong ways to do the exercises in most cases, and anything you do, that you enjoy and that you learn from, is absolutely fine. It doesn’t matter whether it looks like the examples you see in Start2 or not – everyone’s work is unique.

If you are stuck over a technical term, try Googling it. If you are stuck over an art technique (for example how to use charcoal), try searching for that technique on YouTube or on some of the links to arts websites provided within the courses in Start2 – there are some very good advisory videos online in many arts techniques.

You will also find some great art books in libraries and book-shops (you can browse for free in book shops, you don’t have to buy anything)

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I've done all the exercises, when are you going to get more put up?

Wow you have been busy! All of our activities are designed for you to do over and over again. Why not go back to one of your favourite activities and try doing it slightly differently? Such as choosing different colours, or designs, or themes (if relevant).

We aren't currently creating any new activities. If you'd like to give further feedback then please contact us here stating that your enquiry is about Start2.

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Where is the download relevant to the exercise I'm completing?

All exercises have downloadable paper versions, for you to be able to print and complete away from your computer.

The downloads are placed on the first page of every exercise.

Downloads for all exercises can also be found in the downloads section of Start2.

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I'd like to recommend this resource to my professional networks, and I want more information about the evidence behind it.

You can read more about Start2, and Start, the service behind Start2 here. On the Start website you will find information about the evidence base behind arts for mental health, and also a number of reports and journal articles that talk you through our methods in our face to face service, on which Start2 is based. On the Greater Manchester Arts and Health website, you will find further information about evidence for the ways art impacts on wellbeing. The Library is a great one-stop shop for evidence – well worth checking out.
http://www.greatermanchesterartshealth.org.uk/index.php

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Where can I get art materials?

Many of the art materials listed can be bought in stationery stores, craft shops or online. Contact your local store and ask if they have what you’re looking for. Many shops also have websites and online searches to find the product you require. 
We have listed some shops (UK based) and online stores (UK) on our links page that you may find useful.

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I want to develop my creative skills more, how do I do this?

• Try out all our creative activities!

• Make doing a creative activity a weekly goal (practice makes perfect!)

• You can get further information on the following by asking at your local library, or careers advice office, or doing a search online:

1.   Find an art group in your local community

2.   Find an adult education course near you

3.   Find a college course near you

4.   Want to take it further – it could be worth considering an Arts Foundation Course or    

      Degree?

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How can I find art and creativity classes locally?

• Contact your local college – even if they don’t have a course they may well be aware of creative activities in the area

• Look in your local library, in the local papers, in a local community centre, or try local newsagents’ windows where there may be adverts for local classes

• Do a search online for ‘art workshops’  or ‘art classes’ + ‘your area’

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How do I find galleries and museums locally?

• World museums and galleries can be found here http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/museums/

• Search online ‘Galleries and museums in + your local area’

• Do check opening days and time as most art galleries world wide tend to be closed on a Monday

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Can my company get a website like this, with our own specially designed materials?

Yes. If you’d like to talk to the Start2 team about this, please send us an email via our Contacts Form, and we will be pleased to get in touch to talk to you about your ideas.

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I want to get a virtual gallery or museum section made about our collections - how do I do this?

Please contact us on the contact form found at the bottom of this FAQ page and a Start2 team member will be pleased to get back to you.

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I would like to work in the arts for health field, how do I do that?

The Arts for Health and Wellbeing world is a growing field. There are some courses now that can offer training – generally these are at Degree or Post-Degree level. You should search online for Arts for Health courses.

There is a lot of information online about various excellent organisations around the world, offering arts for wellbeing, where you can glean practice advice and guidance. Visit the Start website for example for lots of information about our face to face service, and to download journal articles and reports about how we work – www.startmc.org.uk

The most frequent route into Arts for Health work is via an Arts Degree and possibly a Teacher Training Course (Adult, Further and Higher), then voluntary work with a reputable organization. Having a Teacher Training qualification makes you stand out from others, and is very relevant to the field.

It’s a good idea to always try to think of what you can offer the organization. Bear in mind that reputable organizations will probably get a lot of enquiries about volunteering, so how can you make your own enquiry stand out?

If you obtain an interview, think about what you should present at the interview – ideas, a portfolio, a couple of good references.

It’s a good idea as well to ask at interview what sort of supervision you will receive, and whether you can work with a mentor to set yourself appropriate aims and objectives. This can really help to focus your placement.

Start2 cannot offer individual career advice, but we do hope to inspire others to think about working with Arts for Health and Wellbeing.

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Some of the people I work with come from culturally diverse backgrounds. Will there activities which would be recognisable to them and that other people could learn and enjoy?

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I'd like to order a Start2 promotional pack

Details of what we have available are here.
Please contact wendy.teall-at-mhsc.nhs.uk 

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I'm looking for short activities to do, which are they?

Our bite-sized activities are shown as having a bite taken out of them, like the one below
 

These are anything from 30 seconds to 10 in length.
An approximate timing is given on the first page of every activity. 

You can find a list of all our bite-sized activities here.

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How do I keep a note of my favourite activities?

Bookmark your favourite activities to come back to at any time by simply clicking one the 'Save this exercise to your favourites' button found in the 'What next?' page at the end of every activity. 

You can then go back to your favourite activities in your private Ownzone. You need to be registered to use your Ownzone. This is quick, easy and private.

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How will using the Wellbeing Thermometer benefit me?

The Wellbeing Thermometer will help you to understand how you can maintain positive wellbeing and help if you're not sure where to begin and which activity to use.

Our Wellbeing Thermometer helps you to log, measure and understand your own patterns of wellbeing. Our Wellbeing Thermometer also will direct you around the Start2 resource helping you to choose the creative wellbeing activity to best suit you. 

You need to be registered to use the Wellbeing Thermometer. Both registration and the Wellbeing Thermometer are quick, easy and completely private. 

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