Unleash your inner artist during Barnsley’s Creativity and Wellbeing Week

Creativity and Wellbeing Week is back for a second year in Barnsley to celebrate the benefits of creativity and culture on health and wellbeing.

Being creative is great for your health; it helps you learn new skills, improves your mood, keeps you active, provides a sense of achievement, and builds community connections. 

From Monday 15 – Sunday 22 May, we are hosting a week of exciting and inspiring exhibitions and activities to showcase some of the different creative activities that Barnsley has to offer and to give you the opportunity to experience these benefits for yourself. Take a look at our events webpage to find out what's on and save the date!

Accessing culture and creativity can help us stay well, get well and live longer and healthier lives. We want everyone in Barnsley to live life in good physical and mental health. Being involved in arts and creativity can help:

  • protect against a range of mental health conditions, help manage mental health and support recovery.
  • reduce isolation and loneliness by rebuilding relationships within communities and helping people feel resilient.
  • increase time outdoors, keeping people fit and active.
  • boost confidence while reducing anxiety and stress.
  • empower people to improve their own health and wellbeing by helping to maintain levels of independence and improve their quality of life.

Dementia Action Week will be taking place alongside Creativity and Wellbeing Week this year, and evidence shows creative activities such as music therapy reduces agitation and the need for medication in some people living with dementia. Therefore, as part of the week of activities, we are also hosting a number of dementia-friendly workshops to provide those living with dementia and their support network the opportunity to experience the benefits of creativity on their health, while also enjoying new and inspiring activities. 

Julia Burrows, Director of Public Health and Communities for Barnsley, said: “Taking care of our health and wellbeing is very important to live a happy and healthy life, and we want to make sure everyone can access opportunities that will help them to do this. 

“That’s why we are so excited to host another celebration in Barnsley for Creativity and Wellbeing Week. It was brilliant to see so many people taking part in last year's event, and this year promises to be just as inspiring.

“The schedule of events provides such a wide varying choice of activities to suit everyone's abilities and interests. I’d encourage everyone to join in the week to discover the benefits of creativity on their wellbeing.”

Find out more about the national Creativity and Wellbeing Week event at creativityandwellbeing.org.uk

A - Z Directory