Evidence

Why we should engage our communities in creative activities

Outcomes:

  • The arts are proven to support people in feeling better; helping with stress, pain and depression.
  • Making art and creating can help distract from problems in life, encouraging a calm focus.
  • Step-by-step activities give time for clear thinking and reduce anxiety.
  • Completing projects is rewarding; being active encourages positive thoughts and improves mood.
  • Arts activities create ways to connect to others.
  • Working together reduces isolation; regular meetings give a structure to life.
  • Arts participation provides ways to use, develop and maintain life skills without pressure; this raises self-esteem and confidence.
  • Motivating participants to try something new develops independence in daily life.

Loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health; research shows that lacking social connections is as damaging to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

(Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: Holt-Lunstad, 2015)

The only time I could significantly reduce the pain was either when I took a large amount of painkillers or when I could concentrate on knitting.’

(Stitchlink Study: Royal United  Hospital Bath, 2009)

Much of our community work is based round the 5 ways to wellbeing

  1. connect
  2. be active
  3. take notice
  4. keep learning
  5. give

learn more about this here-