This week marks a milestone for me: 3 years since I set up Medley, my online arts for wellbeing initiative. That time feels like it has flown. I am so happy to have stumbled upon working in arts for wellbeing, and so enjoy all that I do with it. As someone new to the sector when I set up Medley, I’ve also learned a lot over those three years. Some experiences and observations stand out.
Feedback from participants is so helpful as I’ve experimented with what people enjoy (or don’t!). Sometimes I’ve asked people to sum up how creativity helps them, or whether they found an event calming, fulfilling, positive or confidence-building. “Calming” is the most common response, alongside other words such as “freedom”, “immersion”, “release”, “soothing” and “perspectives”. I would agree with all of these.
Striking a balance is so important – suggesting themes and specific activity ideas, but with the freedom for participants to interpret these for themselves, maybe by using different media or styles. Then there’s also balancing regular activity over time with one-off events, and resources for people to use in their own time with live groups. Variety is so important as well, and so is community. Sharing how they get on with an activity and seeing how others interpret the idea adds far more layers to the experience, for participants and leader alike! I really enjoy connecting with the people who take part in my art challenges and other events, brought together by shared creativity. Art unites by linking up people who might never have met.
I’ve seen how far more women than men take part in art for wellbeing, and how digital exclusion can limit older people’s opportunities to take part in virtual activities. Lack of confidence is another significant barrier, particularly with drawing – while craft can be seen as more accessible. And I’m seeing issues with monitoring and measuring impact, which can feel artificial and forced, and where existing tools – like wellbeing scales – may not fit.
Learning what’s happening in the sector as a whole is exciting too. The range of artforms and the ways of sharing these with people in all different situations is inspiring. Macrame workshops, a theatre company using Shakespeare speeches to talk about mental health, singing and dance groups for people who have Parkinson’s, and a creative writing group for people with chronic health conditions: to name but a few. The more initiatives I come across, the more ideas I think I would like to try sharing myself as I develop Medley!
What it all comes down to is creativity, experimenting with colour and form and line, or with other artforms, restoring some sense of joy and calm. Thank you to everyone who’s on this journey with me.
Medley 