Mapping of Initiatives on Culture, Health and Well-being

The mentoring programme is based ont the model of Self Determination Theory (SDT), arguably the most well evidenced framework for impacting upon wellbeing and motivation. That mentoring is enhanced, captured and safely shared with stakeholders via a digital online platform. The mentoring, which happens face-to-face and/or online, often revolves around music and music technology (although it could also revolve around another art form or other activity as well). Music technology is a fantastic tool with which to make a young person feel good at something they value, quickly. The music, a sense of playfulness and the relationship with the musician/mentor are all incredibly important in this process

Pathways engages young asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, aged 14-25, who are at a high risk of experiencing exclusion, isolation, prejudice and mental health issues in multi-disciplinary arts. The practice focuses on the mental health needs of young people, providing opportunities to regulate stress, reduce isolation and develop skills. The artists are experienced in providing accessible opportunities for our participants to express their personal agency and creativity.

The Build project uses the arts to develop relationships, emotional literacy and communication skills of young people excluded from mainstream education. Build uses multidisciplinary arts to increase self-esteem for young people aged 11-16 in Tower Hamlets’ Secondary Pupil Referral Unit; usually as a result of their previous school placement having broken down through ill health, behaviour issues or other difficulties. Many of the young people have had adverse childhood experiences, often resulting in trauma and mental health needs.

The ICE Project is an innovative programme, a collaboration between Hampshire Cultural Trust and Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, provided by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. It was established to promote the benefits of arts and culture on emotional and psychological health and wellbeing. Through ICE directions – Inspire, Create, Exchange, the project champions positive mental health, builds young people’s emotional resilience, enables them to learn something new, and to create content, tools and resources for use by other young people. The ICE Project ran from January 2017 – January 2020.

All in the Mind is the leading outdoor mental health arts festival in the UK. The festival is a free annual one-day event offering a broad range of music, dance, spoken word and theatre set within the water meadows of the River Loddon in Basingstoke. This family friendly festival inspires and delights audiences of all ages. The All in the Mind Festival exists as a platform to celebrate the power of the arts in improving mental health. It gives artists a safe and supportive platform to try out new ideas, share their work and be heard. It makes connections, bringing individuals, families and communities together to take part in something collectively.

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) Arts Programme has been delivering a multi-disciplinary arts programme within a unit at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children since August 2017. Their arts and activities programme, the only one of its kind in any of Scotland’s healthcare settings, delivers over 1000 exciting workshops each year at Edinburgh’s children’s hospital, as well as within community health settings including Queen Margaret Hospital and Musselburgh Care Centre. They transform bedsides into art galleries and waiting areas into discos to bring fun, laughter and distraction when they are needed most. Whether it’s magic, music or messy play, our activities help children and young people to have a positive experience from the moment they begin their healthcare journey.

Create (Creu in Welsh) is an arts project working with young people aged 12–17 who are experiencing mental health difficulties. The organisers work with up to 30 young people, split over two groups, on a medium to long-term basis. Participants are referred by their mental health practitioner. The aim of the group was to help young people find new ways to express themselves, to give them an outlet away from the formality of school and medical appointments, and to provide them with a safe space to discuss, learn and grow.

East London Dance was the lead delivery partner for Dance to Health in London and they worked with the partners Amicus Horizon and Redbridge Jewish Community Centre. The aim of Dance to Health was to use dance to increase older people’s strength and balance and so reduce falls and falls-related hospital admissions by up to 55%. They organised regular classes twice a week for 2 hours in both centres, and each has a social element where participants had a cup of tea and talk about their week.

Apollo project takes place within hospitals and uses the arts to increase the well-being of children who are undergoing healthcare and mental health treatments on children’s wards. Our collaborative approach encourages learning, friendship and ownership for children during their hospital stay. Apollo uses combined arts to increase the wellbeing of children in hospital wards including Whipps Cross and Royal London hospitals.

Physical Graffiti is an all-ability core project for beginners, serving as an introduction to Kids in Control physical theatre disciplines in a relaxed, fun environment. Leading to advancement into the Adventures In Human Being project, this project is open to newcomers throughout the year, including recruits from autism spectrum disorder workshops and youths referred through Children and Adult Mental Health Services.