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We have been working with some of Medway’s leading arts organisations to deliver and test out a range of new creative health activities, offering inspiring, uplifting and fun ways for participants to express themselves, get out and about and meet other people in their local communities.
Icon Theatre
Icon is an award-winning theatre and participatory arts charity. Working with communities and young people is at the heart of everything they do, whether it’s making large-scale, outdoor productions; running their award-winning young people’s programme, or delivering theatre programmes in schools, drop-in centres and criminal justice settings. Their new project, Act Up engages vulnerable and socially isolated residents, and those struggling with their mental health in Brompton and Luton. It is a 12-month theatre project which reduces social isolation, builds confidence and improves mental wellbeing.
Nucleus Arts
Nucleus Arts believes in making creativity accessible to all, regardless of age, background or health. Through Creative Health Medway, Nucleus is delivering a programme of free, weekly drop-in Messy Play sessions for pre-schoolers and their parents. It’s an opportunity for parents and guardians to get together and have a chat, connect and share resources and experiences, to improve overall wellbeing and reduce social isolation. Nucleus is also running free, weekly drop in Craft & Chat sessions for over 18s focussed on reducing social isolation and increasing wellbeing through arts and craft.
Ideas Test
Ideas Test work in areas where there are the fewest opportunities for people to access the benefits of engaging with arts and culture, collaborating with communities and partners to co-create projects that make people feel better about themselves and the places they live. Their engagement programme in Brompton and Luton introduces creative ways for local people to imagine a better version of their neighbourhood, where they can shape the way their surroundings affect their health and wellbeing. Ideas Test will deliver regular creative workshops, talks, visits and social events with local people, leading to the development and creation of two, large-scale public artworks.
“Creative health is vital to creating healthy, happy, connected communities. Ideas Test is delighted to be a delivery partner on this project and have been working with local people to identify local issues and finding creative ways to make a lasting difference.”
Live Music Now
Live Music Now is a dedicated to creating inclusive social impact through music. They strive to improve quality of life, health and equity of opportunity by tapping into the creative potential of every individual. They believe everyone should be able to access the proven health and wellbeing benefits of live music, whatever their circumstances. The Lullaby Project pairs pregnant and new mothers or fathers with professional musicians to write, sing, record and perform personal lullabies for their babies. The programme supports maternal health and wellbeing (including developing agency and confidence), child development and strengthens the bond between parent and child.
https://www.livemusicnow.org.uk
Medway Libraries Service
Storytellers Bernadette Russell and Emma Waterford will work with people living in Luton to create a new storywalk especially for the neighbourhood. The project will create a walking route which can be followed on a map and stop with marked points where people can stop and listen to stories connected to the past, present and maybe the future of the place.
The storywalk will be gentle and fully accessible for wheelchairs, buggies and mobility scooters. The stories can be listened to via mobile phone whilst walking or in the comfort of your own home. The project is designed to facilitate a deeper connection between the local community and the land, buildings, flora and fauna via folklore, imagination, storytelling and creativity that exist in Luton. The group workshops will reduce isolation and increase social connection. Creating the guided walk will provide an inclusive community activity and encourages people to experience nature.
