Treasure Trove
This year’s Creativity & Wellbeing Week theme of “Creativity” set me thinking about creativity’s sheer variety. That’s why I’m focusing my project for the Week on seven different artforms and how they can all boost wellbeing. I’m calling it “Treasure Trove”, because that’s how I see creativity – an inexhaustible treasure trove to explore, enriching life.
I set up Medley (my arts for wellbeing initiative) under lockdown in 2020, so remote was the only way to go. But as Covid has receded, I’ve continued to develop Medley online. As part of this, I run art for wellbeing projects, with participants taking part from home in their own time. I send out prompts and images by email, and people can share in private Facebook groups. Now that I’m in my third year as an arts for wellbeing practitioner, I’m still developing what I do. Continuing as a remote initiative, I can run flexible projects people can fit around their lives, wherever they are, in the UK or occasionally overseas as well. But I’m trying to build local links now as well.
My most recent project, Set Aside, was the first time I’d run a daily art challenge – previous challenges were weekly. Participants really responded to the daily routine, saying this particularly helped their wellbeing. They also liked shorter art ideas, which felt more practical to fit into their lives. So my Creativity & Wellbeing Week challenge will also feature daily, shorter ideas.
Set Aside participants told me they found taking part helped them to “escape” and “zone out” from everyday life and issues. They enjoyed experimenting, and the opportunity to take some time for themselves. A feeling of community was important, with participants saying they felt less alone and enjoyed sharing and being inspired by new ideas from others. “Calming” was the impact most people mentioned as the month ended.
I feel this year’s Creativity & Wellbeing Week provocation – “What role does creativity have to play in a health crisis?” – is really important, in raising the many issues facing the health and care sector and encouraging us all to think about creativity’s place within this. Creative health is not about burying our heads in the sand, it is not a distraction as the NHS fights to survive. Instead, it is about sustainable and empowering ways of boosting wellbeing and mental health within this fight. As it’s about diversifying and enhancing health provision and preventative care, it’s needed more than ever.
I’m looking forward to running the Treasure Trove challenge for Creativity & Wellbeing Week 2023, and hope people will sign up for free (just click on this Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/treasure-trove-art-for-wellbeing-challenge-tickets-594773743277 ) and enjoy celebrating all that creativity can do for wellbeing.
This story was written by Isobel Murdoch
Contact them at: medleymusicartnature@outlook.
