Creative Health Projects Spotlight
We are delighted that we received such a broad and varied selection of projects to our recent call out for case studies.
Dorset is a country rich with cultural opportunities to support health and wellbeing across the life span, and these projects demonstrate the many different ways and approaches that exist.
From artists exploring health themes as part of their creative work, community projects that provide people creative opportunities, ways for NHS staff and hospitals to engage, and through to more focused Creative Health projects with wellbeing specific aims and outcomes.
Creative Health is a valuable part of the cultural sector. We’re committed to supporting practitioners and artists to develop and create these opportunities. We support the health and social care sectors to connect, help us grow and develop this work, with the aspiration that everyone can access creativity as part of managing their health and wellbeing.
Emerald Ant: Nature Table
Dorchester
A series of in-person creative workshops, the immersive nature of the sessions supported a reduction in loneliness, anxiety, pain and social isolation.
“I really enjoyed the sessions, it gave me opportunity to meet others. It helped me mentally and physically to cope with my pain”
Website | Email | Facebook
Arts in Hospital: Mindful Walk and Draw
Thornecombe woods
Give Nature a Go, a part of the Dorset ICS Enhanced Staff Wellbeing Programme, offers nature-based activities for healthcare professionals, including a walk and drawing session in Thornecombe woods.
"We left renewed and Inspired"
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Image by Fronde Crennell
CoCreate
Bournemouth, Poole & Online
A programme of regular creative courses and workshops open to people who identify as needing support to maintain mental health and wellbeing.
"The sessions took me out of my depression and anxiety and transported me into a world where I could feel safe and happy and express my delight and thankfulness."
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Pavilion Dance South West
Bournemouth
Weekly dance classes for people living with Parkinson's and their carers.
“The best Friday afternoons ever – always different, always fun and a feeling of relaxation as well as hard work of course. Laughter and happy times“
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Image by Andy Beeson
Corrianna Clarke, Debbie James, Jo Tyler - Radiotherapy
Boscombe
A short animated film project that recounts memory of treatment whilst experiencing childhood cancer. Innovative in its collaborative community production.
"We really valued the chance to hear a patient perspective in such an engaging and creative way”
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The Parks Foundation - Parks In Mind
Boscombe
A series of short courses, focussing on Creativity, Nature and the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.
"I am so grateful that I found this course ... it has truly changed my outlook and approach to life. Thank you."
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Image by Peter Holloway
B Sharp
West Dorset
Working with young people experiencing poor mental health. Taking part in a series of weekly individual sessions, which were built around young people’s musical interests and individual experiences.
“I feel I have got more confident – just getting out of the house really. It is difficult making that first step. I am also more sociable, realising getting out of the house is a positive thing”
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Image by Masie Hill
Forest Arts Centre: Wellness Walks
New Milton
New Milton’s Forest Arts Centre hosted 12 wellness walks, one every month, for people aged 65 and over in response to lockdown measures.
"Lovely crowd of people and I feel so much better for attending. The walks were at a pace I could manage and allowed me to meet new people.”
Website | Email | Facebook
Forest Arts Centre: Parkinson’s Dance
New Forest
For those with Parkinson’s and their carers or family members has been running since 2018 and sells out almost every week. It provides a creative, fun and social space where dance sparks imagination, nurtures expression and empowers participants’ bodies and minds to move and invent as the individuals they are rather than the condition they have.
”Exercise, exercise, exercise - you can't get enough of it. Thank you for all the thought you are putting to our wellbeing!”
Website | Email | Facebook
Dorset National Landscape’s Stepping into Nature team : Your Seasons of Stories
Dorset
A nature and creative community project which saw the launch of a beautifully written, illustrated and filmed mix of resources available for free to encourage creative conversation, community and nature connection.
“Thank you, I’ve received [the Your Seasons of Stories resource box] today. Very timely as I’m autistic and today feel sad and overwhelmed by life in general. So will enjoy using the resources to help myself self-regulate with nature”
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Image by Your Seasons of Stories (C) Ben Ingram
GEMS Circus Arts school
Southbourne
A aerial arts (circus) training provider for young people with diversity’s from blindness to cerebral palsy.
"We Elevate young people spirits as we train in the air , where every studnet learns to embrace the joy of inclusive heights."
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Image by Peter Milson
Houseworks Dorset CIC Community Arts
Portland Bill
The community workshops worked with vulnerable children, young people and families to make paper stories using images - including Portland ephemera, sharing their thoughts and voices about what it is to be Portland residents around the theme of community connection and sense of place. Those analog collage images (20+) were then digitalised, made into vinyl stickers and became the backdrop to the Rock, Paper, Scissors bus for b-side festival 2023.
”The sessions also involved meeting with others, connecting, finding common ground and spending time with people of all ages. Connecting and being creative at the same time was really good for my mental health and I always felt lighter and happier after.”
Website
Emerald Ant CIC: Inside Out
Bridgwater & Taunton
Somerset Public Health Dept funded Emerald Ant's 'Arts for Wellbeing' project, collaborating with schools in Bridgwater and Taunton to deliver creative workshops addressing Covid-related challenges for small groups of children.
”Very useful to children who were needing some extra nurturing and support in expressing feelings and emotions. Very calm and relaxing sessions. "
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Images by Emerald Ant
Creative Clay for All
Dorchester & Poundbury
Dorchester Disabled Club. Participants explored clay and a variety of textured rollers and stamps.
A grant funded project with PIPs Poundbury for 3 sessions with parents signposted from Damers School for wellbeing clay sessions based on nature.
"My wellbeing has improved. I didn't have any confidence in creative ventures before but the whole experience has been so supportive that my confidence has increased "
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Fish created by members of Dorset Disabled Club
Numerus I Durotrigum
Dorchester & Weymouth
The project has to bring together people of all ages, and backgrounds to Reenact and historically Interprete Roman and Celtic people, crafts, skills and life of Ancient people.
”do this a few times a month and you won't need a gym membership that’s for sure"
Email | Facebook
Zara Saganic
The piece was titled 41,725 (Driven by Date part 1) and recorded in minutes the time spent drawing in isolation. This has been exhibited at BEAF and Wells cathedral and Zara was surprised how much this resonated and moved the viewer. Many conversation were had about a shared experience done in isolation.
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
SISATA
Portland, Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth & National
Portland Project Tempest brought together several Dorset community groups last year to create a 50+ member company, a mix of local professional artists & residents. Held writing workshops that led to open rehearsals and the development of three new plays that were performed at locations on Portland for the b-side Fringe Festival.
”The people's Tempest: by, with, from, and for, people like you and me.”
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram
Image by Alan Courtney of Dorset Morri’arty Photography.