“It wasn’t just about being creative, the personal benefits were much wider reaching. It helped to: challenge my anxiety in a new social setting and environment; gave me new evidence of coping, building a sense of resilience and hope to build upon; provided a mental break from my eating disordered thoughts; an opportunity for my body to feel relaxed and safe."
creativeHealth
art on referral in Bristol
<< LATEST NEWS:
Oct 24 - Creative Health in Action event round-up. // Jul 24 - We'reHere creative Film project completed and launched with screenings at Watershed. // Searching for artists and mentors for the creativeEmerge training programme // Jun 24 - NEW GROUP in Charfield, S Glos
Artmaking is proven to support positive mental health and wellbeing. The creative process transports people away from everyday stresses and worries, promoting relaxation, delight, curiosity, connection, a sense of achievement and wonder.
creativeShift CIC is a small team of dedicated arts on referral practitioners committed to supporting people experiencing social isolation and mental or physical health challenges across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Taking part in a creative process encourages people to adapt more easily, seeing the world with fresh perspective. Our weekly in person and online Arts on Referral programmes, regular follow-on groups and citywide projects connect with people in a way that works for them and enables positive life changes.
Using established partnerships with the NHS, Social Prescribers, community venues and cultural organisations throughout the South West, and using the collaborative, flexible pathway we've developed over many years, we ensure that creativity through art is accessible to everyone, particularly those who are under-represented.
"Build my confidence meeting new people and engaging in conversations with others from diverse backgrounds and ages. Gain a greater acceptance of my mental health and be more open with others about my struggles. Gave me positive structure in my week and something to look forward to each Friday."
Bristol's Creative Health Ecosystem
Our Thriving Communities project was a collaboration of a number of parties across Bristol working together to deliver multiple Creative Health programmes.
Since the project finished, the stakeholders have continued to build on the network of connections established to ensure more people benefit from the Art on Referral groups and other related creativity events to support positive wellbeing.
This map was produced to demonstrate the ecosystem and contribution of various parties involved across Bristol in supporting and developing Creative Health strategies.
80%
of participants
report lower levels of
stress and anxiety,
positive distraction
from pain, life issues
and illness
70%
report a reduction
in depression
90%
report an increase
in confidence, self- esteem, achievement, satisfaction
60%
feel less isolated
and lonely