London Arts in Health Forum presents the fifth Creativity and Wellbeing Week from Monday 13 – Sunday 19 June 2016. This unique annual event celebrates the many ways that creativity and engagement with the arts can improve health and wellbeing. Starting in London in 2012, Creativity and Wellbeing Week has now grown into an important national event with many opportunities to engage with exhibitions in hospitals, talks in galleries, walks, workshops, tours and performances for all ages.
With mental health featuring in the news there are also opportunites to take part in discussions and policy developments during this exciting week. There will also be theatre performances focusing on cancer, exhibitions featuring dementia and choirs for the mind and soul. Creativity and Wellbeing Week is organised by London Arts in Health Forum (LAHF) and they have programmed over 200 events across the country. Including in Newcastle, Glasgow, Cambridge and Bristol.
‘The World Health Organisation say health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. I believe creativity helps us feel well, feel in control of our lives and of the world around us’ Damian Hebron, Director, London Arts in Health Forum
This year’s Creativity and Wellbeing Week features high profile policy makers discussing the positive impact the arts have on health. As well as grassroots, the programme will feature small organisations and individual artists helping vunerable people tell their own stories and experiences using different artforms. The programme includes:
Monday 13 June | 17:30 – Arts in Hospitals
A national showcase of the role of the arts in hospitals – As well as improving hospital environments, the arts are changing the way people are treated in hospital and influencing patients’ recovery. This national showcase will offer an insight into some of the ways the arts can enhance 21st Century hospitals and health. This event will be held in conjunction with an All Party Parliamentary Group for Arts and Health engaging in a roundtable discussion in the Houses of Parliament with Right Hon. the Lord Howarth of Newport CBE and acclaimed illustrator and author Sir Quentin Blake. Monday 13 June, 17.30. At The Governors’ Hall, St Thomas’s Hospital.
A Speaking Likeness: Poetry within health and care – the Mike White Memorial lecture will be given by Fiona Sampson, a prize-winning poet who has worked extensively in health and social care settings over many years. In this lecture, she will reflect on the role of writing and creativity in health and care and the development of this field of work from its earliest days*.
Tuesday 14 June, 18.30. The Wellcome Library, Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Road, NW1 2BE
Some of the organisations who are throwing their doors open to show the inspiring work they do with vunerable people include: Bethlem Museum of the Mind Youtopia: Visions of the Past, Present and Future.
500 years since Thomas More’s vision of Utopia, a first edition of this classic text is displayed alongside museum
objects which explore dystopia to communicate a vision of the best and worst of all possible worlds.
Monday 13 June – Friday 17 June And Plan B[ethlem] Bethlem Gallery A celebration of the essential but often invisible daily demonstrations of support across the hospital site, from gestures of support between clients and staff to the maintenance of spaces, activities and relationships.
Wednesday 15 June – Friday 17 June | 10:00 – 17:00. Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, BR3 3BX
Joy Of Sound specialises in designing bespoke musical instruments and devices that allow mentally and physically impaired participants to get involved. They will present a taster workshop for people of all ages and abilities to play music together. Tuesday 14 June | 10:30 – 12:00. Chats Palace Arts Centre, 42-44 Brooksby’s Walk, E9 6DF
London Bubble Theatre Company Unhappy Children, Unhappy Adults sees a playful and thoughtful afternoon followed by a short film demonstrating the Speech Bubble project for primary age children with communication needs. Tuesday 14 June | 14:00 – 16:00 London Bubble Theatre, 5 Elephant Lane, SE16 4JD
Explore our Collections: A Tour of the Royal Academy of Music Museum There will be short, guided tours of the Royal Academy of Music Museum designed to be especially welcoming for those living with dementia. Wednesday 15 June at 11:00 and 14:30 (45 minutes) Royal Academy of Music Museum, Marylebone Road, NW1 5HT
Age UK Islington Urban Photography for active over 55s. Age UK Islington Photography group go on a photowalk to observe and take photos, these will be exhibited across Age UK’s venues. Wednesday 15 June and Thursday 16 June from 10:00 -12:00. Drovers Centre, Age UK Islington, 19 North Road, N7 9EY
Apples and Snakes The No Panic Book of not Panicking. The launch of a self-help book for people experiencing panic or anxiety created by Apples and Snakes artists working with participants of the Sutton and Merton No Panic group.
Thursday 16 June | 18.00 – 20:00. Sutton Central Library, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, SM1 1EA
Sound Minds present – At home with Sound Minds. Celebrating its 25th anniversary with a jam session in the afternoon, film screenings and a showcase of rap and opera in the evening.
Friday 17 June | 14.00 – 20:00, 20-22 York Road, SW11 3QA
To find out about the full programme log on to www.creativityandwellbeing.org.uk
