Taking Care - yourself, colleagues, participants - Peterborough Culture Forum Mon 1 Feb

We started February 2021 by acknowledging how hard Mondays, Januarys and 2021 is already proving to be. Luckily the Peterborough Culture Forum had Dr Emily Bradfield, Director of Arts & Minds, to talk about her organisation’s approach to supporting well being and mental health through creativity - as the core purpose of her organisation and also their day-to-day practise.

Emily gave an overview of the work of Arts & Minds since March 2020. More info in presentation HERE.

Takeaways from Emily’s practical and insightful presentation include:

Communication: as contexts are constantly changing Arts & Minds have been committed to transparent dialogue with members (or participants / audiences) in order keeping people in-the-loop. This approach maintains connections even when delivery is disrupted.

Connection: was a constant theme though Emily’s presentation, from taking the time to deliver arts packages in person for participants for online groups to making the space for creative-social-time with colleagues.

Plus she gave us three Top Tips to have in mind everyday, for yourselves, colleagues and project participants:

SLOW DOWN: (To speed up) Take a step back to focus on what excites you.

THINK CREATIVELY: These are unprecedented times. Trying something you have never done before may be the solution.

BE FLEXIBLE: Adapting to changing takes time, planning and energy - make space for that.

Arts & Minds have some open access programmes which anyone can join more info in this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/arts-amp-minds-28775873901

Arts & Minds are undergoing a strategic review so if you have an interest in their work, as an artist, commissioner or participant, please do get in touch via their website, or her contact details are on the presentation.

If you have a group or a project in Peterborough which could support people’s well being we also recommend you contact How Are You Peterborough https://www.haypeterborough.co.uk who are creating a resource for social prescriber link workers to sign post people to.

Many thanks to everyone who took part, and especially to Emily for her input.

Best wishes

Kate

Creative Producer, Jumped Up Theatre