Norfolk Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2023 Blog
Ever since it became a national festival in 2019, Norfolk County Council has supported and celebratedCreativity and Wellbeing Week. The week promotes the work of our local creatives and arts and cultural organisations to showcase the amazing and wide-ranging work they are doing to support health and wellbeing.
Norfolk Creativity and Wellbeing Week continues to provide the county council with a vital and high-profile opportunity to advocate for, and shine a spotlight on, the many ways in which arts and culture contribute to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of people throughout Norfolk. It also helps us build on our work to encourage and support greater collaboration between arts, culture, heritage, health, education and social care partners in the county.
This year sees a great mix of events on offer from Norfolk County Council’s libraries, adult learning, museums and record office, as well as Norfolk Music Hub, health partners, local artists and arts organisations. Activities include art and craft workshops, music and singing groups, dance classes, creative writing sessions, exhibitions, music and theatre performances and experiences presented by the Norfolk & Norwich Festival.
As well as the fantastic variety of events on offer, this year there’s been a particular focus on music and singing sessions and workshops, some of which are open to general audiences and others with a specific remit to support people with dementia, mental or physical ill health, disabilities or additional needs.
The county is lucky to have several organisations working in the area of music and wellbeing, and Norfolk Creativity and Wellbeing week provides a fantastic opportunity to highlight the inspiring work that they deliver on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
The Black Dog Music Project is a Norwich based charity that helps people who suffer challenges to their mental health to participate and rediscover their love and skills for music. It offers a wide range of weekly music sessions from one-to-one music tutorials to group work and playing in a band. These sessions are for adults who cannot access mainstream music organisations due to health, mental health or social barriers.
Playing For Cake runs community-based Singing for Health and Wellbeing sessions open to everyone of all ages and abilities, as well as Singing for Breathing sessions that are tailored around breathing exercises using established techniques. The sessions are designed for participants with lung conditions and breathing difficulties, but they are also ideal for people with anxiety, stress or depression.
Mind the Gap is an inclusive music group for people with mental and physical health issues in Norwich that positively promotes improved wellbeing through participation in music and creative processes. It provides a friendly, safe environment to socialise with fellow musicians, play music, form bands, and improve musical skills and performance.
Sing Your Heart Out is a charity which runs singing workshops for mental wellbeing across Norfolk. It welcomes anyone over 18 who is experiencing or has experienced mental health difficulties and wants to support their wellbeing, and offers a strong sense of togetherness through singing. Participants say it improves their confidence, reduces stress, and they are in a space where others understand how they feel.
Come Singing delivers free therapeutic singing groups for people of all ages living with dementia and memory problems, alongside their family and carers. They provide a safe and friendly environment for people to meet and enjoy the benefits of singing. All of the groups are run as a collaboration between a charity, a health provider, and the Norfolk Library Service.
Creative Arts East’s Creative Socials offer free high-quality arts workshops for people aged over 50 in Breckland, Great Yarmouth and West Norfolk. Sessions offer an opportunity to improve wellbeing, try something new, and meet others in a safe environment and in May includes singing and music making.
To find events and book your place, please visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/GetCreative
