World Mental Health Day: how culture is supporting mental health in Wandsworth
As part our year as London Borough of Culture we are pioneering one of the UK’s largest Creative Health programmes with more than 20 projects to tackle health inequalities through culture.
We are using our year as London Borough of Culture to showcase how engagement in the creative arts supports better mental and physical health. Culture can inspire, heal and help people stay connected.
The profound positive impact of culture and creative opportunities is the very foundation of the entire Welcome to Wandsworth programme, with an intense focus on audience experience, participation, training, and engagement for people of all ages and backgrounds.
As part our year as London Borough of Culture we are pioneering one of the UK’s largest Creative Health programmes. Working in partnership with local NHS and community organisations, we have over 20 projects that are tackling health inequalities through culture, this includes: dance programmes to get everyone active and moving from Strictly Wandsworth and Urban Flow to summer programmes for young people and bespoke classes for young people with autism; arts therapy for people with depression and mental health issues; and promoting singing to improve people’s physical and mental health through Sing to Thrive.
Our Culturally Mindful programme brings together Global Majority artists, healthcare providers and grassroots organisations to create new approaches to health and wellbeing support, with residencies at St George, Queen Mary’s, Springfield children’s ward, Springfield’s adult ward hospitals and at the Royal Hospital of Neuro-disability.
The comprehensive Wandsworth Heritage Collection, which includes hundreds of items representing local history, is being used to help people with dementia. Memory Boxes can be booked and used to support people to connect with the past.
The Brighter Living Fair runs throughout October, helping older people live healthy, independent lives in which they connect with their community, and include opportunities to try art and music.
Local dance group Pointe Black are holding a special class on movement, mental health and collective healing at the Royal Academy of Dance on October 19th. Wandsworth residents can get a discount and there will be 15 free tickets for residents of the Winstanley and York Road Estates.
Find out more about our Creative Health and Wellbeing programme.