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Creativity and wellbeing

How creativity is important for good wellbeing

There are so many forms creativity and culture can take, allowing people to express themselves in different ways, without having to use words if necessary. The arts provide one of the most effective ways for people to have discussions around issues that can be difficult to explore in other ways. This helps to tackle inequalities by engaging people from all backgrounds and communities.

Here we outline some free resources to support you and others to support wellbeing through creative activity.

Resources to help you

From writing a song to upcycling your junk, find fun ways of upping your creative activities in the Back from the Bluez workbook.

Discover a wide range of podcasts on culture and mental health brought together by the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance.

Listen to Thrive LDN’s podcast Act On: Creativity, hosted by Tom Philipson, with guests Bob Jones, Priscila Hernandez, Ryan Saunders and Yossi.

Resources to help you support others

Watch a panel discussion on how arts and cultural activities can support young people’s emotional wellbeing and help build resilience.

Watch and hear from young charity worker and youth advocate, Faith, talk about how her creative role and working with other young people during the pandemic has supported her wellbeing.

Listen to Thrive LDN’s podcast Act On: Culture and Participation, hosted by Radio 1’s Katie Thistleton, on the positive effects arts and cultural events can have on wellbeing.