2024 has truly been an amazing year for DG Creative Wellbeing and we’re bursting with gratitude for everyone who’s been part of this journey. Your support, creativity and enthusiasm have made the past 12 months unforgettable.
This year, we’ve brought people together through an inspiring programme of arts activities, events and interventions. From vibrant mural painting and captivating exhibitions to live performances, film screenings, coffee mornings, sign writing, poetry, sound recording and so much more, our work has spanned community and healthcare settings across Dumfries & Galloway.
The highlights have been endless and every strand of DG Creative Wellbeing has been enriched by your involvement!
Let’s take a look back at some of our highlights from this year:
Art Journal and Creative Toolbox
Our Art Journal and Creative Toolbox initiatives returned for 2024, with a special launch in April at The Bridge in Dumfries.
Since April, both of these programmes have aimed to ignite creativity and foster wellbeing, catering to different age groups with unique approaches.
Over the course of 9 months, participants have been on a creative wellbeing journey, with intensive workshops, group trips and online sessions. They have been supported by dedicated Project Leads, Associate Artists and a Project Counsellor.
Many of our participants have now moved forward to the Graduate Programme, which is ongoing until Spring 2025, and we couldn’t be prouder of the incredible progress they have made this year!
The Willows Mural
Back in March, we were delighted to unveil a new mural at The Willows Children Young People & Family Centre based on the Crichton Campus in Dumfries.
The DG Creative Wellbeing project’s Community Creative Wellbeing and Art in Healthcare teams worked in partnership with NHS staff based within the Willows, to facilitate the public art installation that is on permanent display in the foyer of the building.
Our Art Journal and Creative Toolbox participants worked with artist Katie Anderson to co-design the installation over the course of a few months, leading several workshops, with outcomes directly informing the mural’s themes, messaging and visuals.
Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2024
For the second year in a row, we were delighted to play a key role in organising Dumfries and Galloway’s participation in the 2024 Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF).
SMHAF offered a powerful platform for people across Scotland to create and share art that delves into mental health, highlighting how the arts and creativity can contribute to healthier, more fulfilling lives.
This year’s festival ran from October 10–27, 2024, and explored the theme of ‘In/Visible’, sparking meaningful conversations and connections throughout the region.
DG Creative Wellbeing was proud to collaborate with the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, NHS D&G, The Crichton Trust, Live Borders and Cample Line to bring a series of impactful and inspiring events to life.
The Care Project
This winter, we were delighted to share with you a new project – The Care Project.
This pilot project, developed in partnership with Scottish Care, was designed to support the creative wellbeing of both staff and residents in care homes across Dumfries & Galloway.
In Phase 1, we collaborated with three care homes, Allanbank, Fleet Valley, and Munches Park, to explore and foster creative initiatives. Our aim was to enhance the creative wellbeing of staff and residents, strengthen their connections and create a more inspiring and supportive care home environment for everyone.
2025
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to share a glimpse of what lies ahead in the new year. Here’s a rundown of a few exciting initiatives we have in store!
Graduate Programme: Empowering Creative Development
Participants from our Art Journal and Creative Toolbox programmes are continuing their journey with the Graduate Programme, a bespoke initiative designed to nurture and support further creative growth.
In 2025, our graduates will have the opportunity to collaborate with artist Katie Anderson on an inspiring mural project in Dumfries. This initiative aims to help participants expand their creative practices, forge meaningful connections between art and place and explore pathways in creative enterprise.
Advancing Our Work in Healthcare
We’re also delighted to continue our transformative collaboration with the NHS. Building on our embedded work at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI), Mountainhall, Midpark Hospital and Galloway Community Hospital, as well as exploring the next steps of the Care Project. Expanding our work with Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer, as well as supporting the wellbeing of NHS staff, will be our areas of focus as the work develops. These efforts are dedicated to enriching the integration of creativity and wellbeing within healthcare settings.
Our First Symposium: A Celebration of Creative Health and Wellbeing
We are over the moon to announce that February 2025 will see us hosting our very first Symposium in Dumfries!
This one-day event will bring together stakeholders, key figures in health and wellbeing sectors and creative practitioners for meaningful discussions, shared learning and deep connections. With a focus on advancing understandings around creative health and wellbeing, the Symposium promises to be an enriching experience for all involved.
One of the highlights of the event will be the unveiling of our Creative Health & Wellbeing Manifesto – a document crafted to inspire, inform, and spark positive disruption in the ongoing conversation about creative wellbeing in our region.
If you’re interested in attending or learning more, stay tuned! More details will be shared on our social media channels in early 2025.
Until then, we wish you a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with creativity and connection!
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