Picture a person searching for well-being support. Maybe they are lonely or at a loose end, bereaved or new in an area or in a country. Maybe they’re ill, anxious or depressed. Imagine this person hears about different well-being support where they are, maybe through a social prescriber. Picture them turning up at a drop in atContinue reading “Best Practice”
Category Archives: Wellbeing
Out In The Sticks
Well-being hubs and community initiatives abound. Research constantly proves that feeling connected and spending time with other people are overwhelmingly positive for well-being and for overall health. But so many well-being hubs and community centres can be found only in towns and cities. Is rural isolation still falling through the gaps? Are villages being left behind? And this leads on to another question. Which isContinue reading “Out In The Sticks”
Recipe For Success?
Is there a recipe for what most helps wellbeing in a group setting? Is it ever possible to generalise about something so personal & individual? As I’ve led and facilitated a few different kinds of wellbeing groups lately, they’ve set me wondering about this once more. Is there a golden rule for the ideal group,Continue reading “Recipe For Success?”
In Performance
A group of women wearing flowing red from head to toe stand and strike dramatic poses in a silent tableau. Or they form a procession. Every change of facial expression can be clearly seen as they wear mask-like white foundation make-up. In their headdresses, long robes, gloves and shoes, all scarlet red, they are anContinue reading “In Performance”
Each And Every
As someone who draws or paints most days and works as a visual art for wellbeing practitioner, I would never have thought that writing would suddenly prove more helpful than visual art as an expressive outlet. But this is what I’ve found as I endure bereavement, as I explored recently (https://medley.live/2026/01/22/lost-for-words) Now I’m reflecting onContinue reading “Each And Every”
Lost For Words
Creativity and art are central to my life, and as I share art for wellbeing with others, I see at first hand the impact it can have. Sometimes I share my own lived experience, how art helps me navigate issues and gives me a sense of purpose and connection. But now I’m navigating a veryContinue reading “Lost For Words”
Confidence And Community
Hold a pen or pencil in your hand and draw a line on a sheet of paper. A simple act. How do you feel? Excited, wondering what image you might go on to create? Bored? Daunted? Is it full of possibility? Many more of us all the time are experimenting with art and with theContinue reading “Confidence And Community”
Glimpse Something Deeper
Over the last few weeks, one word has cropped up time and again as I’ve spoken with participants in my art for wellbeing activities. It’s something they say they’ve found very beneficial, or that they would like to start – but they say demand is high, and they can’t always find local or online groups.Continue reading “Glimpse Something Deeper”
Either/Or
Can wellbeing initiatives such as befriending, arts and crafts or gardening be just as beneficial as a talking therapy like CBT? On the one hand, demand is constant and CBT has boomed, within the NHS and beyond. But on the other hand, doubts have started to be raised, and it’s now believed cognitive behavioural therapy,Continue reading “Either/Or”
Changing Minds
What’s the first thought that comes into your mind when you hear the words creativity, the arts, music, dance, drama, art or craft? Do you think “wonderful, enriching, fun”? Or do you think “boring, scary, not for you”? Many of us do have an instinctive yes or no response to lots of things in life.Continue reading “Changing Minds”
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