£37,000 for project linking health and art

The 37,000 grant from Arts Council England will enable Rotherham Council’s community arts service to launch the year-long project in the south of the borough.

Working closely with mental health, parent and toddler, young people’s and older people’s groups, the project is designed to improve people’s health and well-being, improve confidence levels and social skills, encourage creative developmental play and help reduce depression and anxiety.

Workshops will be run by professional artists using movement and dance, music, crafts, drama and creative writing.

The project is supported by Rotherham Primary Care Trust, the council’s sports development unit and various community groups.

Results from the project will be distributed nationally to help improve similar assessments across the country, with a website to be launched in the near future to help support the project.

The council’s Arts in Health Officer, Rhiannon Lister-Coburn, said: “This is a really exciting project and I’m looking forward to working with local groups in the area. Arts activities have the potential to transform people’s lives.

“We’d love to hear from local groups, especially those in the Dinnington, Anston and Woodsetts, Rother Vale and Wales wards.”