WEAVE | GWEHYDDU Arts and Mental Health Conference 2023
Wales Arts, Health and Wellbeing Network launched the nation’s first arts and health conference in autumn 2023.
Weave took place on 4 October 2023 at Newport’s Lysaght Institute. It focused on the positive impact of the arts and creativity on Wales’ mental health and wellbeing.
The free event was designed to build on the country’s pioneering arts and health partnerships, progress and successes in recent years – including the six-year-old MoU between the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh NHS Confederation.
Unravelling the details
Among the confirmed key speakers were:
· Lynne Neagle, Deputy Minister of Mental Health and Wellbeing
· Derek Walker, the Wellbeing and Future Generations Commissioner
· Nina Ruddle, Head of Public Policy Engagement at Wrexham Glyndŵr University
· Peter Carr, Executive Director of Therapies and Health Science at Aneurin Bevan Health Board.
Breakout sessions spot-lit various creative health projects taking place across Wales, such as those supporting veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and Welsh language creative workshops for people affected by addiction.
There was also a networking space to meet and connect with colleagues from across Wales, as well as some indoor and outdoor creative activities to support delegates' own wellbeing on the day.
The Weave conference marked a new milestone in efforts to embed arts and creativity in Wales’ health and care approaches.
Angela Rogers, WAHWN director, said: “The feedback on Weave, our first arts and mental health conference, from our members, funders, policy makers and politicians has been incredible. The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act has been a key driver steering genuine partnership working across the arts and health sector in Wales, enabling incredible innovation and creative approaches to tackle mental health challenges and address health inequalities. I am proud and excited to be part of this growing movement."
As it was an in-person event, tickets for Weave were limited.
You can now view the main room panel discussions here on our YouTube playlist.
Weave’s main panel events are available to watch back on WAHWN's YouTube channel here.