An organisation that champions arts and creativity in promoting mental health across the county hosted its first creative community gathering since the pandemic at the Hall For Cornwall in Truro.  

Arts Well CIC brought creative organisations and practitioners together last Wednesday for an informal networking opportunity, strengthening connections and encouraging partnerships and collaboration in the county. 

Those in attendance included Royal Cornwall Museum, Creative Kernow, Black Voices Cornwall, Hospital Rooms, Arts Lab and Music Therapy by CMST, along with creative health practitioners from circus, dance and the visual arts. 

Guests included Arts Well’s ambassadors: Aimee Stapleford from The Nook in Perranporth for Coastal and Carnon Downs PCN; Megan Beck from Grays Wharf Gallery for Falmouth and Penryn, and Ellen Moule from Blystra Arts for Watergate and Newquay.  

Those looking to branch into the field of community creative health also attended, as well as Arts Well’s ambassadors who represent different primary care network areas in Cornwall: Sarah Pym (representing east Cornwall), Tanja Durrant (Truro) and Cathy English (North Kerrier West). 

Vicki Bampfield-Hammond, programme coordinator for Arts Well UK CIC, said: “We are excited about the ideas that were shared and the passion that people feel for how creativity helps mental health and wellbeing. The event was extremely well received and due to its success, we are now confirming the date for our next one, so watch this space!” 

Ruth Purdy, from Make It Better CIC, said: “We were delighted to be invited to attend this event. It was a wonderful opportunity to network with other inspiring people and organisations that have such a strong synergy with ours. We made some extremely useful connections and are excited about where the many ideas discussed at the event will lead.” 

Funded by Cornwall Council, Arts Well CIC supports the Creative Health and Wellbeing Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, working with the creative sector to promote activities that help with depression, anxiety and distress.  

There is increasing evidence that doing something creative can help people with their health and wellbeing, whether that is knitting to reduce chronic pain, singing to improve lung health, or community crafts to help reduce loneliness and isolation. 

Arts Well provides a range of creative opportunities directly to the public, businesses and other organisations throughout the county, including monthly online networking opportunities.