Creativity and Wellbeing Week report

Barnsley held a week of activities in May 2022 to raise awareness of the positive effects that culture and art can have on improving health and wellbeing. A range of events and creative activities were delivered to build leadership and embed arts and culture into all health and care systems.

The theme was 'Get Creative, Get Outdoors' - to coincide with the national Creativity and Wellbeing Week. There was a range of activities to get involved in, led by us, our partners and cultural community-based organisations. The activities showed all the existing events and initiatives that promote the important role that creativity and art, heritage and being outdoors play in improving a person’s mental and physical health and wellbeing.

There were opening and closing sessions held during the week featuring guest speakers from creative industries. There were alongside examples of lived experience from people who enjoyed the benefits of accessing creative outlets to improve their health.

Following the many successes of the week, we want to continue to drive forward this initiative and make the most of the enthusiasm from everyone involved.

Barnsley's been investing in this work for many years, and this year Creativity and Wellbeing Week helped to focus the conversation at a critical moment and drive towards a more strategic approach to supporting creative health.

We know that creativity and culture can support health and wellbeing. We're now thinking about what would enable this work happen consistently. Creative health projects can be transformational, and what we really need is a way to make sure these become sustainable programmes of work founded in trusted relationships and investment between:

the people of Barnsley
creative practitioners and organisations
the council
health partners