A project exploring how social prescribing and the Arts can work together to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities. Funded by the National Academy for Social Prescribing. health & wellbeing Back to projects We have seen at first hand the very real benefits of creative social prescribing – working with professional creative practitioners to deliver supported free sessions for a whole range of people living with loneliness, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. Read here about our past and current projects that are using arts and artists to deliver some amazing health and wellbeing outcomes… Bishop Auckland I:D Project Take Part in Teesdale We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Pride in Teesdale was a programme of arts events and activities bringing communities together to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture and diversity and to increase representation and visibility in deeply rural communities across Teesdale. Northern Heartlands partnered with YMCA Teesdale, Curious Arts, TCR Hub, The Bowes Museum and The Witham Pride in Teesdale Back to Connected Communities In 2024/25 we worked in partnership to deliver Pride in Teesdale. The programme of arts events and activities brought communities together to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture and diversity and increase visibility in deeply rural communities across Teesdale. The programme was led by YMCA Teesdale and included Curious Arts, Northern Heartlands, TCR Hub, The Bowes Museum and The Witham. 837 attendees engagaged in activities including ceilidhs, an exhibition, creative workshops and a film programme 14 events were delivered across 6 community and cultural venues in Teesdale The programme included 2 development and training events for artists and cultural/community sector workers The programme suppported the development of a new partnership Next Project Thank you to our partners and funders: We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Delivered in partnership with No More Nowt in 2024/25, Cultivate Commissions was designed to support creative practitioners to work with and alongside communities in County Durham to increase participation in arts activity, develop creativity and instil pride within communities. The goal of Cultivate Commissions was to bolster creativity in County Durham. Cultivate Commissions Back to Connected Communities Delivered in partnership with No More Nowt, Cultivate Commissions supported creative practitioners to work with communities in County Durham to increase participation in arts activity, develop creativity and instil pride within communities. The goal of Cultivate Commissions was to develop creative growth in the county. 20 artists/arts organisations received a commission. 2273 people directly took part in activity 12,608 people engaged with the project. "This project allowed me to finally build an idea that's been rattling around for a long time! It was a privilege to bring it to life in a bustling shopping centre and engage a diverse cross-section of the community. The unique setting inroduced me to new participants and brodened my understaning of audience engagement in non-traditional art spaces." [Artist] "This project has been my most ambitious participatory project to date...it has provided an opportunity to connect with new community groups and organisations, and to get to know Bishop Auckland through the eyes of its communities." [Artist] Outcomes included: Strengthened networks and partnerships, Increased creative practitioner and community confidence Increased participation in the arts 7 further artist commissions secured and 4 new groups established Next Project Read the full report on Cultivate Commissions here Cultivate Commissions is part of "Into the Light" , a transformative programme of creative, collaborative projects across County Durham. We Need Your Support Today! Donate