In February, we hosted a Creative Health & Wellbeing Symposium in Dumfries – it was the first of its kind in our region and a significant marker for the progress that has been made to increase connections between the arts, culture, health and care sectors following on from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The aim of the Symposium was to:
➡ AMPLIFY regional creative health and wellbeing activities and initiatives;
➡ SPOTLIGHT examples of good practise in the creative health and wellbeing ‘space’;
➡ CONNECT local, regional and national stakeholders’
➡ EXPLORE opportunities to embed work, increase investment and enhance learning;
➡ SHARE research, strategies, knowledge and testimonies that underline art and culture’s powerful connection to health and wellbeing.
It was an amazing day for everyone – from inspiring speakers to two breathtaking performances, the day was filled with thought-provoking discussions, creativity and a shared passion for the power of the arts in health and wellbeing.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, contributed to conversations, shared insights and engaged so openly. Your energy, curiosity and generosity made the event truly special. We hope you left feeling inspired, empowered and connected!
We thought we would share a run down of the day alongside some of the images, and more about the presentations that were given and the conversations that were had.
Opening Remarks
To open our Creative Health & Wellbeing Symposium, we were thrilled to welcome four remarkable women from the arts and health sectors to deliver inspiring opening remarks. Each of them brought unique insights, expertise and passion to the conversation, setting the stage for a thought-provoking and engaging event. Their words underscored the vital role of creativity in fostering well-being, highlighting innovative approaches and personal experiences that left a lasting impact on our audience.
Opening Remarks were delivered by:
➡ Lucy Macleod, Creative Health & Wellbeing Director of outPost Arts, launching A Manifesto for Creative Wellbeing in Dumfries & Galloway;
➡ Valerie White, Director of Public Health D&G, providing an overview of Regional Art in Healthcare;
➡ Marion Bain, Interim Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the Scottish Government, providing an overview of the Government’s aims and ambitions;
➡ Katharine Wheeler, Chair of the Cultural Partnership for D&G, providing an overview of the partnership, aims and ambitions.
Keynote Speakers
Throughout the day, we had the privilege of welcoming three keynote speakers who captivated us with their knowledge, stories and forward-thinking ideas. Each brought a distinct perspective, shedding light on key challenges and opportunities in the creative health and wellbeing field. Their thought-provoking messages not only informed but also inspired meaningful discussions, leaving us with new insights to take forward.
In the morning, we were delighted to welcome Nancy Riach. Nancy leads Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS), a national network supporting those working at the intersection of arts, culture, health, and wellbeing. With over 1,000 members, ACHWS connects research, policy, and practice while advocating for arts and health in Scotland. Nancy brings over 30 years of experience in the arts sector and is actively involved in several national and international advisory groups.
Later in the day, we heard from Chris Fremantle, a Producer specialising in public art and a Lecturer & Research Fellow at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University. He founded ecoartscotland in 2011 as a platform for projects and networking, later partnering with the Land Art Generator Initiative on sustainable design. Currently, he serves as Art Advisor to the European Marine Board’s Embracing the Ocean programme and is a Research Associate with the US Forest Service’s naturePLACE program.
And finally, we welcomed Vicky Inam Mohieddeen. Vicky is a Scotland-based creative wellbeing practitioner and consultant with 20 years of experience working with communities worldwide. A registered Drama Therapist, she has led participatory arts projects across Scotland, China, North Korea and India. In the UK, she has collaborated with organisations like the British Red Cross, Historic Environment Scotland and the National Theatre of Scotland, using creativity to support wellbeing.
Spotlights
As part of our Creative Health & Wellbeing Symposium, we hosted a series of ‘Spotlights’ throughout the day, giving our audience the opportunity to learn about inspiring initiatives and projects happening across the region.
First up, we welcomed Charlotte Riley Gibson to the stage, who is the D&G Director of Paragon Music. Charlotte has worked with Paragon Music for over 10 years, leading inclusive arts initiatives and partnerships in Dumfries and Galloway. As a musician and practitioner, she delivers workshops, mentors others, and trains staff in disability equality. She is also Level 2 British Sign Language certified.
Charlotte was joined by Sarah Turner, who is a Paragon Service User and a singer-songwriter. Her music is inspired by metal health awareness and life experience, and she is currently in the midst of working towards a debut EP.
Next up, we welcomed Callum Morrison, a PhD researcher at Glasgow Caledonian University’s Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health, focusing on young people’s rights and their role in third-sector services. Callum discussed his participatory research with Outpost Arts’ Creative Toolkit, exploring how young people’s active contributions, rather than passive participation, can create positive outcomes for both them and the services they engage with.
After this, we heard from the DG Creative Wellbeing Team, who shared more about the work they have been doing over the last 2 years. We heard from Lucy Bell, Creative Health & wellbeing Director; Liz McQueen, Adult Creative Wellbeing Lead; Georgia Ireland, Youth Creative Wellbeing Lead; Alison Hotchkiss, Project Counseller; and Phoebe Watt, Programmes Officer and Care Project Lead.
Performances
And finally, we were treated to two absolutely incredible performances from Sara Shackleton and Zoë
Bestel.
Sara Shackleton, a Dance Artist based in D&G, trained in ballet and theatre dance from an early age before discovering Modern Dance pioneers during her Art History studies. Inspired by Margaret Morris’s barefoot seaside dances, she became a certified Margaret Morris Movement teacher in 1997 and now curates an annual dance residential while performing with Les Impromptues.
Zoë Bestel is a 25-year-old award-winning nu-folk musician from Scotland, known for her ethereal vocals and captivating performances across Europe, including BBC features and major folk festivals. Her acclaimed single Utopia (Winter 2022) showcases delicate, transportive vocals that reflect her dream of a world in harmony with nature.
Overall, it was a really incredible day, and we’re looking forward to sharing more reflections from both participants and speaker with you in the coming weeks!
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