Our wellbeing programme has the potential to improve individual and collective health as well as an understanding of how:

​

• disadvantage, social (and digital) exclusion can impact on the mental health of young people, families and communities

• alternative creative supports can support positive mental well-being and reduce isolation in the everyday 

• new ideas like self-directed care and social prescribing combine for a more positive and inclusive future.

​

The programme has been developed by a programme of action research funded by RS McDonald to offer holistic and wraparound well-being support for care experienced communities. 

​

The sub-themes of the Arts and Wellbeing pillar that are emerging through our ongoing action research can now be categorised as:

 

1. Self-directed care (including Refresh, Scran and Stories, Summer of Firsts, Belters, Winter Well-being blocks and the lived experience Emerging Artist in Residence role)

2. Digital well-being (inc. The Value, trove, Thumbs Up and trauma-informed digital spaces research via Digital Discoveries)

3. Creative life stories work (inc. bespoke digital solution created in partnership with Blue Cabin)

4. Whole family well-being (inc. Dot to Dot and Family Tree pilot)

5. Social prescribing (inc. pilots in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Orkney)

6. Art therapies service (inc. drama, music and visual art offerings)

​

Current projects include:

​

Refresh - Self- directed care led by emerging artists with lived experience and a focus on programming that supports young people to overcome challenges relating to the cost of living crisis. 

​

Belters - a singing and songwriting programme led by Ankna Arockiam.

​

Dot to Dot - A whole family well-being project the emerged out of lock down and works with families across Scotland to make memories and strengthen attachment. Read our blog about building creative parenting skills and supporting collaborations for kinship carers, new and young families.

​

Start with Art - first steps into creative well-being in 1-2-1 settings, for small groups and children's residential units. 

​

​