DGRI, April 2023 

To raise awareness and visibility for the CWNetwork, a space was dedicated to the network at the launch of the Creative Health programme at DGRI’s Atrium – engaging stakeholders to define ‘what does creative wellbeing mean to you?’.

This exercise underlined the network’s key purposes – to initiate conversation around creative wellbeing (and the issues/barriers that feed into that), to bring people together, and to use creative means to have those discussions and to share outcomes. 

The network’s Co-ordinator Tabitha Mudaliar invited staff, visitors, and patients to discuss and visually represent what creative activities they take part in, and how this supports their wellbeing. For Enjoyment CIC (an accessible arts organisation working across D&G) supported stakeholders to use collage techniques to create colourful panels that describe key words/actions/outcomes sparked by taking part in art/creativity focused activities. These collage panels, and decorated, handwritten statements created a large, vibrant display for others to stop, read and enjoy alongside a photography exhibition. The outcomes of the CWNetwork’s engagement have directly informed future programme planning. 

2nd May 2023 

The cross-sector network formally launched on 2^nd May at DGRI Lecture Theatre, with 20 key attendees participating in workshops that invited them to collectively identify the Creative Wellbeing Network’s aims, priorities, and forward strategy.  

The DG Creative Wellbeing Network is helping to coordinate Dumfries and Galloway’s contribution to the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2023. The festival takes place from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 22 October.

Working in partnership with the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, NHS D&G Public Health, DGRI, The Crichton and RBC Film Theatre, DG Creative Wellbeing has worked hard to bring two exciting and important events to audiences in this region: 

• Keep Turning the Page Exhibition
• Up The Middle Road Screening
• OutPost Art’s CWNetwork will also be launching its ‘Creative Wellbeing Manifesto’. The start of a year of creative consultations where together, we hope to build a wellbeing manifesto for D&G.  

These regular ‘cuppa and catch-up’ take place on Zoom. Network with other creative practitioners, cultural colleagues, caring, third sector, education and health professional and share ideas on how we can contribute to creative wellbeing in Dumfries and Galloway.

Keep up to date with when they are taking place to book your place – subscribe to the newsletter.