Sharing learning, nurturing collaboration, and amplifying art and culture’s important connection to health and wellbeing. 

The cross-sector network delivers a range of outcomes across three priorities – Amplify, Connect & Cultivate – hosting a range of remote and in-person gatherings, engagements and events for and with the DG Creative Wellbeing project’s stakeholders and partners. 

The network underlines the powerful connection between the arts, culture and wellbeing via its creative programme – commissioning work and hosting events/activities that explore creative wellbeing-related themes and connect people/organisations. Almost 600 people have engaged with the network’s events from January 2023 onward.

The network has developed a formal working relationship with Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival to establish a focal point in the South of Scotland, and in 2024, the network hosted one of x3 national film screenings produced by the festival. From 2025-28 we will strengthen this connection to develop further opportunities for D&G’s creative health and wellbeing stakeholders.

The network has taken a lead role in developing and amplifying a regional ‘Creative Wellbeing Manifesto for Dumfries & Galloway’ which aims to raise awareness at all levels around art and culture’s powerful potential for healing, health and wellbeing, and lobbies for increased investment and inclusion in strategic planning at regional and national levels.

Supported by the Regional Fund, the network will launch the final Manifesto at an inaugural ‘D&G Creative Health & Wellbeing Symposium’ in Dumfries in February 2025. The event will attract a variety of cross-sector partners and stakeholders, supporting healthcare, social care, third sector and education partners to connect with specialists in the creative health field, and learn from nationally significant projects. 

CREATIVE HEALTH & WELLBEING SYMPOSIUM

In February, we hosted a Creative Health & Wellbeing Symposium in Dumfries – a landmark event for our region that marked a growing commitment to strengthening connections between the arts, culture, health and care sectors in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The symposium aimed to:
Amplify creative health and wellbeing activity across the region
Spotlight examples of good practice in the creative health space
Connect local, regional and national stakeholders
Explore opportunities for investment, learning and sustainable impact
Share research, strategies and lived experiences that demonstrate the vital link between creativity and wellbeing

The day featured inspiring speakers, moving performances and dynamic discussions, all underscoring the transformative role of the arts in health and care.

To find out more about our Creative Health & Wellbeing Symposium, read the full report below.