Great art might open up great opportunities for wellbeing. So far Medley has mainly explored art’s impact on people who themselves take part in painting, drawing or crafting. In this blog post the focus turns to how looking at art might in itself also boost wellbeing and enhance life in diverse ways. How might enjoyingContinue reading “In The Frame”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
All Singing, All Dancing
By their sheer exuberance, musicals transport us to a different world. What specific impact do they have on health and wellbeing, maybe more than other music genres? I hope this will be the first in an occasional series within Medley’s regular blog posts, exploring how and why different music genres have particular impacts on us.Continue reading “All Singing, All Dancing”
Wild And Urban
For people and nature alike, towns and cities can be places of opportunity – or wastelands. Many people find urban living exciting and positive, while others find it overwhelming or depressing. And urban environments can be hostile to wildlife too, as light pollution confuses species as different as moths and migrating birds, street trees mayContinue reading “Wild And Urban”
Opening Doors Through Art
Like life, lockdown is peppered with ironies. Art classes or groups have closed or moved online. Art galleries have mainly been closed for most of the last year and exhibitions have been halted or postponed. Such a practical, physical activity as art or craft might now seem literally out of reach. But as one doorContinue reading “Opening Doors Through Art”
Stepping Out
Any walk is a journey, or even a story with a beginning, a middle and an end: although it might not seem like that as you trudge through the wind and rain. Walking is linear. It has a start and end point. I wonder if this is why walking helps many people when life isContinue reading “Stepping Out”
In Unison
As we adjust to Covid-19 for the long haul, uncertainties has become one of few certainties. And uncertainty over communal music-making at this time throws up questions on music’s impact on wellbeing. Is it the music itself which helps or the opportunities it creates to interact with others? Is hearing or performing music alone equallyContinue reading “In Unison”
Rekindle Memory
Time and time again I hear how music, art or nature resonate with people who have dementia, opening up worlds which seemed closed. Dementia may have been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, which has once again delayed proposed care reforms. But it has not gone away. Instead it has gone on spiralling. Next week, 21stContinue reading “Rekindle Memory”
Lockdown’s Long Shadow?
At a time when the digital world was fast growing, lockdown has only accelerated its part in our lives. But lockdown has also highlighted the importance of real-life, face to face interaction and the need for live music, art groups and events and time spent outdoors in nature. When concert halls fall silent, art groupsContinue reading “Lockdown’s Long Shadow?”
