Abstract

Creative health utilises creative approaches and activities such as performance, crafts and gardening to promote healthy behaviours and manage long-term conditions. According to the National Centre for Creative Health (n.d) health is considered in a holistic sense, “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing” thus enhancing overall quality of life and a sense of meaning and purpose. This research highlights Wakefield as a primary location where 70% of the district is designated as a green space (Wakefield Council, n.d) and creative health is adopted through various communities to promote physical, mental and social wellbeing.

This exhibition collates and interprets the findings of a research project undertaken during Spring and Summer 2024, that places a focus on three sites in Wakefield: Appletree Community Garden, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and The Art House. The sites, though differing in their approaches, are linked by the belief in the benefits of creativity and health working in parallel to deliver benefits across all levels of society. The project focuses on primary research gathered through qualitative observations and in-depth interviews with the workers, organisers, and users of the spaces through a plethora of activities such as workshops and gardening. The findings of the research, and analysis of the data allowed for key themes to be extrapolated. These have been presented along with key images in black and white that epitomise the general feelings and reactions to the spaces and activities though interlinked and connected through the green line. Audio excerpts from the interviews are also presented with a montage of the other key images in colour to signify how locality, creativity and community help to foster the overarching theme of belonging that all participants related to.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2024
EventCultures of Creative Health: Closing Exhibition - Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Duration: 1 Nov 202411 Jan 2025

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