Being creative is great for your health; it gives you new skills and a sense of achievement and community.
Join us at our inspiring schedule of exciting events during Creativity and Wellbeing Week from 15 to 21 May 2023 to discover the benefits of creativity and unleash your inner artist. From music and crafts to outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone.
Activities for adults
Ongoing events
Tailor Made in Barnsley exhibition
Welcome to an exhibition celebrating Barnsley’s textile makers! The borough has centuries of stories of weaving, sewing and quilting to tell. Whether it’s a McLintock’s jacket, a Barnsley linen tea towel or a snappy Sugdens shirt, our fabric products were known for innovation and top quality. We’ve chosen items from the museum and archive collections which show some of the people, processes and products of this rich textile history. Find out more in the displays, leave us your own memories and have a go at making!
- Venue: Experience Barnsley
- Date: Saturday 1 April to Saturday 16 September
Monday 15 May 2023
Wombwell Wellbeing Walk
- Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks and Age UK Barnsley
- Venue: Meet outside Katie's Sandwich Bar, Wombwell, S73 8EP
- Time: 10am to 11am
For more details please call Age UK Barnsley on (01226) 776820.
Locke Park Wellbeing Walk
- Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks
- Venue: Meet in Locke Park car park, S70 1YG
- Time: 11am to 12pm
For more details please call Ian on 07902 806252
RSPB Old Moor Wellbeing Walk
- Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks
- Venue: Meet in Old Moor car park, S73 0YF
- Time: 1pm to 2pm
For more details please call Ian on 07902 806252
Happy Vibes Memory Cafe - dementia activity cafe
Join us for visual and creative activity, music, dance and more.
- Provider: Age UK, Barnsley - Karen Dennis
- Venue: Penistone Sports Centre
- Time: 1.30pm to 3.30pm
For more details please contact n.stokes@ageukbarnsley.org.uk.
This is a dementia-friendly event.
To book, please contact Karen Dennis at Age UK Barnsley (01226) 776820.
Dementia Cafe
A dementia friendly cafe with games, raffle, refreshments, bingo, and gentle exercise.
- Provider: Age UK, Barnsley - Karen Dennis
- Venue: St Andrew's Community Centre, St Andrew's Road, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 9HD
- Time: 10am to 12pm
This is a dementia-friendly event.
For more details please contact Jill Barker via email at jillbarker@berneslaihomes.co.uk. You can also call 07976532292.
Stitches
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Darfield
- Time: 10am to 12pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Knit and natter
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Dodworth
- Time: 10am to 12pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Sewing group
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Penistone
- Time: 10am to 12pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Knit and natter
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Wombwell
- Time: 10am to 12pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Tuesday 16 May 2023
Dearne Valley Park Wellbeing Walk
- Venue: Meeting outside Harborough Hills McDonalds, Old Mill Lane, S71 1LN
- Time: 11am to 12pm
For more details please call Barry on 07947 656127.
Elsecar Wellbeing Walk
- Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks
- Venue: Meet in the Elsecar Heritage Centre car park (Opposite the park), S75 8HJ
- Time: 11am to 12pm
For more information please call Pete on 07500 583946
Hoyland Wellbeing Walk
- Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks
- Venue: Meet outside Hoyland Common Co-op, S74 0NE
- Time: 7pm to 8pm
For more details please call Ian on 07902 806252
Crafts
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Hoyland
- Time: 1pm to 3pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Crafts
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Thurnscoe
- Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Crafts and chat
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Worsbrough
- Time: 10am to 12pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Come and see - open studio
Invite you to visit our open studio group held at our new HQ. Have a brew and see what creative things folk are up to.
- Provider: Creative Recovery
- Venue: Prospect Street Community Centre, Prospect Street. (Turn off Summer Lane behind the George and the Dragon pub).
- Time: 11.30am to 2.30pm
For more details please call 07916 282064, or email participate@creativerecovery.co.uk
Wednesday 17 May 2023
Garden gathering @ the carers garden
- Provider: Creative Recovery
- Venue: Metrodome Sports Centre (Garden behind)
- Times:
- 2pm to 5pm - various workshops including mosaic, willow weaving, storytelling, foraging and sketching.
- 5pm to 7pm - Latin band and drumming/percussion workshop. Bring your own picnic.
Hot drinks available throughout. For more details please call 07916 282064, or email participate@creativerecovery.co.uk
Silkstone Common Wellbeing Walk
- Provider: Barnsley Wellbeing Walks
- Venue: Meet at Julie's Cafe, 4 Stottercliffe Road, Penistone, S36 6EB
- Times: 11am to 12pm
For more details please call Julie on 07917 6500917 or Sharron on 07903 390143
Picturing the Park
Drawing for wellbeing in the new walled garden training room. Be inspired by the beautiful surroundings of the park and try out new materials. There is gentle guidance on-hand to help. This event is free of charge.
- Venue: Cannon Hall Museum
- Time: 11am to 12.30pm
Fine Fettle taster session
Enjoy a range of outdoor activities focused on the key themes of explore, mindfulness, skills and imagine. Let the woodland enhance your wellbeing naturally. Our workshop offers an insight to the Fine Fettle six week course running regularly at Wentworth Castle Gardens. For more details please contact Angela Wright at adventuringangels@outlook.com.
- Venue: Wentworth Castle Gardens
- Time: 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Suggestion Box Songs
Interested in music and song-writing? Join Nicolas Lewis for our open song-writing sessions. You can drop in and take part in the process of creating original songs using stories, anecdotes, dreams, poems and lyrics collected from our specially installed suggestion boxes throughout Barnsley. No experience necessary, just bring your creativity and enthusiasm! Nicolas is a performer, composer, and community musician. He's written for theatre, opera, and dance productions that have toured throughout the country. His songs have been broadcast on national radio and he frequently runs exciting community projects in Yorkshire and the Northeast.
- Provider: Nicolas Lewis
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Times:
- 10am to 11am
- 11.15am to 12.15pm
- 1.45pm to 2.45pm
- 3pm to 4pm
- 4.15pm to 5.15pm
- 5.30pm to 6.30pm
For more details please visit our Events at our libraries page.
Knit and natter
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross
- Times: 2pm to 4pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Crafts
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Penistone
- Times: 9.30am to 11.45am
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Thursday 18 May 2023
Come and see - UPLIFT Choir
We invite you to join the UPLIFT Choir and raise the roof.
- Provider: Creative Recovery
- Venue: St Paul's Church, just off Greenfoot Lane near the hospital
- Time: 1.45pm to 3.45pm
For more details please call 07916 282064, or email participate@creativerecovery.co.uk
Chatty Cafe
Dementia friendly cafe with fun, games, raffle, refreshments and a special action week quiz with prizes.
- Provider: Age UK, Barnsley - Ellie Price
- Venue: Cudworth Methodist Chapel, 280 Barnsley Road, Cudworth, Barnsley S72 8JP
- Time: 10.30am to 12pm
This is a dementia-friendly event.
For more details please call Carol or Sarah on (01226) 776820.
Musical Memories
Dementia Choir and cafe. Singing for an hour and an hour for conversation and refreshments.
- Provider: Age UK, Barnsley - Tracey White
- Venue: Emmanuel Church, Huddersfield Road, Barnsley, S75 1DT
- Time: Musical Memories 1pm to 2pm, Cafe 2pm to 3pm
This is a dementia-friendly event.
For more details please contact n.stokes@ageukbarnsley.org.uk.
Craft and chat
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Time: 10am to 11.30am
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Colouring and board games
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Cudworth
- Time: 3pm to 4.30pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Coffee, chat, games and craft
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Darfield
- Time: 2pm to 4pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Rag rug and felt group
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Penistone
- Time: 1pm to 3pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Games
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Thurnscoe
- Time: 2pm to 3.30pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Friday 19 May 2023
Sonic Whispers Workshop
Sonic Whispers is inspired by Emma and Carl’s experiences with Synesthesia and will explore different methods of creative expression. Synesthesia occurs when information meant to stimulate one of your senses stimulates several of your senses. For example, a sound may evoke sensations of colour. Using live music performed by Carl as a starting point. Emma will work with participants to play with how music can be interpreted visually. Inspired by Emma and Carl’s experiences with Synesthesia, the workshop will explore collectively drawing, painting and doodling sound. Emma Denby and Carl Cole are a creative duo working in their respective disciplines of visual art and music to create engaging installations and activities for a variety of audiences. Their work is motivated from seeing the positive change music and art can bring to people.
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Times: 11am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 3pm
For more details please visit our Events at our libraries page.
Knit and natter
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Cudworth
- Time: 2pm to 4pm
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Mindfulness colouring
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Goldthorpe
- Time: 10am to 11am
For more details please visit our activities for adults page.
Saturday 20 May 2023
Celebrating clay
A day of clay-based activities, talks, demonstrations and workshops in partnership with students and staff from Barnsley College.
- Venue: Cannon Hall Museum
- Time: 11am to 3pm
Sonic Whispers Workshop
Sonic Whispers is inspired by Emma and Carl’s experiences with Synesthesia and will explore different methods of creative expression. Synesthesia occurs when information meant to stimulate one of your senses stimulates several of your senses. For example, a sound may evoke sensations of colour. Using live music performed by Carl as a starting point, Emma will work with participants to play with how music can be interpreted visually. Inspired by Emma and Carl’s experiences with Synesthesia, the workshop will explore collectively drawing, painting and doodling sound. Emma Denby and Carl Cole are a creative duo working in their respective disciplines of visual art and music to create engaging installations and activities for a variety of audiences. Their work is motivated from seeing the positive change music and art can bring to people.
- Venue: Library @ Hoyland
- Time: 10am to 12pm
For more details please visit our Events at our libraries page.
Activities for children
Monday 15 May 2023
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Time: 11am to 11.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Board games
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Time: 4.30pm to 6.30pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Code club
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Time: 5pm to 6pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Cudworth
- Time: 2pm to 2.40pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Hoyland
- Time: 10am to 10.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Thurnscoe
- Time: 2pm to 2.40pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Reading and colouring
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Thurnscoe
- Time: 3.30pm to 5pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Worsbrough
- Time: 2pm to 2.40pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Lego club
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Roundhouse
- Time: 3.30pm to 4.30pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Tuesday 16 May 2023
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Time: 2pm to 2.40pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Goldthorpe
- Time: 1pm to 1.40pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Wombwell
- Time: 2pm to 2.40pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Lego club
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Penistone
- Time: 3.30pm to 4.30pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Crafts
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Thurnscoe
- Time: 3.30pm to 4.30pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Wednesday 17 May 2023
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross
- Times: 10am to 10.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Lego club
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Roundhouse
- Times: 3.30pm to 4.30pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Royston
- Times: 11am to 11.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Thursday 18 May 2023
Concerteenies
Join Luke Carver Goss for 45 minutes of singing, dancing and energetic music-making for 0 to 5 year olds! Luke Carver Goss is a workshop leader, composer and performer who writes for and performs with unusual and regular instrumental combinations. He devises musical material with the groups he works with. He writes, performs and runs creative workshops regularly with poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan. His music includes commissions for Black Dyke Brass Band, Tredegar Town Band, The Sage Gateshead, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Symphony Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. He was a composer for the Cultural Olympiad and his piece ‘Pure Gold: a 4X4 Relay’ was broadcast on Radio 2 and 3. With songs, dancing and listening, this is a fun and informal gig for adults and their 0 to 5 year-old children.
Please book a ticket for everyone attending, including adults. You can do this on the Events at our libraries page.
- Venue: Library @ Grimethorpe
- Time: 10.30am to 11.15am
Concerteenies
Join Luke Carver Goss for 45 minutes of singing, dancing and energetic music-making for 0 to 5 year olds! Luke Carver Goss is a workshop leader, composer and performer who writes for and performs with unusual and regular instrumental combinations. He devises musical material with the groups he works with. He writes, performs and runs creative workshops regularly with poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan. His music includes commissions for Black Dyke Brass Band, Tredegar Town Band, The Sage Gateshead, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Symphony Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. He was a composer for the Cultural Olympiad and his piece ‘Pure Gold: a 4X4 Relay’ was broadcast on Radio 2 and 3. With songs, dancing and listening, this is a fun and informal gig for adults and their 0 to 5 year-old children.
Please book a ticket for everyone attending, including adults. You can do this on our Events at our libraries page.
- Venue: Library @ Cudworth
- Time: 1.30pm to 2.15pm
Colouring and board games
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Cudworth
- Time: 3pm to 4.30pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Darfield
- Time: 10.30am to 11.10am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Time: 1.30pm to 2.10pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Royston
- Time: 11am to 11.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Lego and board games
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Royston
- Time: 4pm to 6pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Hoyland
- Time: 11am to 11.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Lego club
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Wombwell
- Time: 3.30pm to 5pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Friday 19 May 2023
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ the Lightbox
- Time: 10am to 10.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Dodworth
- Time: 11am to 11.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross
- Time: 10am to 10.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Penistone
- Time: 10am to 10.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Saturday 20 May 2023
Lego club
Provider: Barnsley Council
Venues and times:
- Library @ the Lightbox, 10am to 11.15am
- Library @ Cudworth, 10am to 11.15am
- Library @ Darfield, 10am to 11.30am
- Library @ Goldthorpe, 10am to 11.30am
- Library @ Hoyland, 10am to 11.30am
- Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross, 10am to 11.30am
- Library @ Royston, 10am to 12pm
- Library @ Thurnscoe, 10am to 11.30am
- Library @ Wombwell, 10am to 11.30am
- Library @ Worsbrough, 10am to 11.30am
These are ongoing events and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
Crafts
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Mapplewell and Staincross
- Time: 10am to 11.30am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Story and rhyme
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Wombwell
- Time: 10am to 10.40am
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.
Games
- Provider: Barnsley Council
- Venue: Library @ Wombwell
- Time: 10am to 12pm
This is an ongoing event and takes place before, during and after Creativity and Wellbeing Week.
For more details please visit our activities for children page.