Creating Mental Wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing

Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave.

One in four people in the UK have a mental health problem at some point in their lives that affects their daily life, relationships or physical health.

Being mentally healthy allows you to make the most of your potential and cope with life’s ups and downs.

Good mental health will help you play a full part in life with your family, workplace, community and among friends.

Creativity and mental health

Research in the UK has shown that arts and creativity is a good way to improve mental health and wellbeing.

A small improvement in wellbeing can reduce stress and can make you feel good.

There are lots of arts and creative activities you can try such as drama, dance, music, knitting, drawing, photography, painting, and singing.

Choose something that appeals to you to try at home or why not join a local group and share your ideas with other people.

For hands on Creative activities in Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport or Trafford call:
Oldham Arts 0161 770 3070
Rochdale Arts 01706 926238

Stockport Arts Gallery 0161 474 4453
Trafford Arts 0161 912 4057

People from nine community groups in these four districts took part in arts workshops in the summer of 2009 as part of a project called ‘Creating Wellbeing’

Art Workshop participants said:

“I feel like it is something to look forward to – it brings you out of yourself”

“It helps me to relax, lets me forget my problems”

“Creative activity works the same for mental wellbeing as walking and climbing”

“I have felt a sense of achievement and its nice to meet new people."

“Builds your confidence, you’re in a group. You learn.”

Creating Wellbeing campaign images

The images and text created in these workshops informed the design of campaign posters and postcards to encourage people of all ages in Greater Manchester to do something creative.

These posters and postcards will appear in busy shopping areas, on bus stops and in community venues in Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Trafford early in October to link with World Mental Health day local activities.

Members of Greater Manchester Arts and Health network and their partner organisations developed the Creating Wellbeing project to raise awareness that creativity can be a positive step towards keeping mentally well.

The campaign images are available for arts, health or voluntary sector organisations and groups to use in their own mental health and wellbeing activities

The 5 images will be downloadable here in poster or postcard format – from 1st October 2009

Background information

The project is supported and informed by the Greater Manchester Public Health Network, the Public Mental Health and Wellbeing lead at the Department of Health/ NHS North West and the Greater Manchester Mental Health Network. It has been jointly funded by Association Greater Manchester Authorities, Arts Council England NW and through Healthy Communities Funding from Manchester Joint Health Unit.

Download project brief

For further information about this project:
Email Anne Crabtree, GMAHN Coordinator, Greater Manchester Public Health Network, anne.crabtree@alwpct.nhs.uk

Click here to download the Creating Mental Wellbeing Project Information Summer 2009 PDF

Click here to download the Creating Mental Wellbeing Project poster campaign PDF

Click here to download the Creating Mental Wellbeing Project leaflet campaign PDF