Wandsworth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Wandsworth highlights how cultural activities and community engagement are helping to improve mental health and wellbeing across the borough.
With over 20 initiatives to address health disparities through culture, Wandsworth is leading one of the biggest Creative Health programs in the UK as part of its role as London Borough of Culture.
“We are using our year as London Borough of Culture to showcase how engagement in the creative arts supports better mental and physical health. Culture can inspire, heal and help people stay connected,”
said Deputy Leader, Kemi Akinola.
Culturally Mindful, which has residencies at St George, Queen Mary’s, Springfield children’s ward, Springfield adult ward, and the Royal Hospital of Neuro-disability, brings together artists from the Global Majority, medical professionals, and grassroots organizations to develop innovative approaches to health and wellbeing support.
Dementia patients are receiving assistance from the extensive Wandsworth Heritage Collection, which consists of hundreds of artifacts that depict local history. People can reserve Memory Boxes and utilize them to help them connect with the past. In the meanwhile, movement is used in weekly Dance for Dementia courses to lessen the effects of the illness.
Throughout October, the Brighter Living Fair helps senior citizens lead independent, healthy lives where they may engage with their community. Opportunities to experience music and art are part of the events.
Additionally, the Tooting Family Hub’s Breath Melodies for Mums project supports moms at risk of postpartum depression, and there are programs to promote children’s mental health, such as music therapy and dance therapy.
On October 19, the Royal Academy of Dance will host a unique class on movement, mental health, and collective healing led by the local dance group Pointe Black. Residents of the Winstanley and York Road Estates will receive 15 complimentary tickets, and Wandsworth residents will receive a discount. Learn more.
There is also a wide range of local mental health services for people who need support. Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, said:
“This World Mental Health Day we encourage all residents to take a moment to reflect on their mental wellbeing and to reach out for support if needed. Mental health affects us all, and talking about it can make a real difference.”
If you have any concerns regarding your own mental health or the mental health of a family member or coworker, please consult your general practitioner.
Young people’s services include counseling and assistance for parents and caregivers, including Kooth’s free online support.
For problems including stress, anxiety, and depression, adults can get free, private talking treatments.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can get urgent care.
How can community groups partner with Culturally Mindful residencies?
Community organizations can provide ways and opportunities for Global Majority artists to familiarize themselves, participate and co-create arts-based health and wellbeing programs to suit the needs of the communities they work with.
Groups closely collaborate with resident artists to co-design inclusive and equitable creative health interventions to support mental health, trauma recovery, and social connection in priority populations, such as disabled adults, youth, caregivers, and people impacted by health-related experiences.
The groups we engaged with benefit from the trauma-informed practice and mental health training that were part of the program and provide feedback through reflection groups and supervision, to ensure cultural humility and co-design are practiced.
