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October 3, 2024A journey with Curious Minds
“Unless you have a creative education, you don’t have a complete education.”
Creative wellbeing is a theme that runs through many of our projects, with very good reason!
In this blog for World Mental Health Day 2024, Emma Bush (Director of Education and Leadership, and Wellbeing Lead at Curious Minds) shares some insight into the transformative power of creativity.children aged 5-16 are likely to experience a mental health issue
In the last 3 years, the likelihood of people
facing mental health struggles has risen by
a staggering 50%.
Creative Wellbeing: From exploration to action
Curious Minds has taken bold steps to address the mental health crisis by leading pilot initiatives that explore the intersection between creative wellbeing and education.One shining example of this is the second year of our SLICE® program with United Learning Trust, in which the SLICE® Fellows spearheaded creative projects specifically aimed at boosting wellbeing. The work culminated in a 2023 Symposium, called 'The Power of the Arts', where both Fellows and pupils shared the profound emotional impact of these initiatives.
But our journey didn't stop there.
The Power of Collaboration: Projects that change lives
We also teamed up with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which is at the forefront of creative health initiatives. Through their Integrated Creative Health Strategy and the #BeeWell program, we're exploring creative avenues to support young people's mental health and wellbeing.Through these partnerships, several exciting projects have emerged, showing the transformative power of creativity:
- "This workshop helps me wrestle with my emotions through poetry and acts like a form of therapy."
- "I enjoyed being creative."
- "The pottery workshop I attended was fun and relaxing. I learned new techniques and had an experience I wouldn’t usually get."
Harnessing the Power of Poetry for Wellbeing
Our latest pilot project brings five poets and five teachers together to co-create a groundbreaking 10-week program.Using poetry as a tool for emotional expression, this initiative will support mental health in two classrooms at each school. The project is funded by the Steph Lampl Foundation, in memory of Steph Lampl who tragically passed away at 21, and has been designed to provide students with a safe space to explore their emotions through the joy of poetry.
In collaboration with Edge Hill and Salford Universities, it builds on the success of their Arts for the Blues model, using poetry to foster both pleasure and wellbeing in creative expression.
Addressing the Challenges: Why this work matters now
The obstacles in front of us are significant. Schools and youth organisations are grappling with the consequences of inadequate mental health support, compounded by funding limitations. However, the need for mental health provisions, coupled with creative outlets for young people, has never been more urgent.There is light on the horizon. The current Government recognises the important role that expressive arts, culture and creativity should play in education, as well as the pressing need for mental health services.
Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has pledged to address this crisis head-on:
“No one should have to wait years for mental health support. My Labour government will give people the support they need by recruiting thousands of mental health staff and putting support into schools and communities across the country."
We are committed to championing creative solutions to pressing social issues, proving the efficacy of its use to support positive mental health and wellbeing and cultivating environments in which all individuals can flourish.