The positive role that art and creativity plays in enhancing our mental health and well-being is at the heart of activity taking place in communities across Scotland and backed by £800,000 of National Lottery and Scottish Government support in the latest round of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund awards.
Forging connection through music making and storytelling is central to Acorn Shed Music’s approach. In their latest project with partners Ceartas Advocacy and The Village Storytelling Centre, Songs from Here will bring together people living with dementia in East Dunbartonshire to create songs and stories based on lived experience.
Set up in 2017 with the aim of finding ways to use group songwriting to explore difficult conversations, Acord Shed Music’s Co-Founder, Carol Beckwith said: “Writing songs that emerge from individual and shared stories provides opportunities to take a more creative approach to exploring the experience of dementia and dementia care.
“We anticipate that as people begin to reveal their creative identities in this way they begin to understand that ‘voice’ is more than just the words that we say.”
In Edinburgh, Artlink is about to roll out a new programme of workshops, discussions, performances, installations, exhibitions and artist placements for people with complex disabilities.
Jan-Bert van den Berg, Director at Artlink, said: “Over the last two years amazing new creative relationships have formed between people with complex disabilities, their supports, and artists.
“As we emerge into a post lockdown world, we want to make sure that those people who have been hardest hit are included in influencing and shaping the new cultural landscape.
“Being Human supports a programme of creative work that harnesses the strengths and passions of all involved to make the most of what has been learnt.”
Becoming a dynamic hub of creative activity, Glasgow’s Good Vibrations supports people through communal music making, with a focus on the gamelan and Indian tuned percussion orchestra.
Hekate Papadaki, Executive Director of Good Vibrations explains: “Through communal music-making and other creative activities we support people who may have more limited access to participating in arts and culture – those from deprived areas and those with disabilities and mental health needs – to develop personal, social and music skills, self-confidence and positive self-identities.”
Paul Burns, Interim Director, Arts and Engagement Creative Scotland said: “The arts and creativity make an invaluable contribution to our health and wellbeing – both physically and mentally.
“Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players, who raise over £30 million for good causes across the UK every week, and funding from the Scottish Government, these awards continue to address issues of mental and emotional wellbeing while also enriching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds.”
A full list of Open Fund recipient awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.