WAHWN News

How our ‘Go + See’ bursary has ignited skills and connections for Wales’ Arts, Health, and Wellbeing professionals

Professionals working in arts, health and wellbeing have gained new skills, knowledge and connections thanks to micro grants from Wales Arts Health and Wellbeing Network (WAHWN).

The network’s ‘go and see’ bursary, launched in Spring 2022, encouraged applicants to visit arts, health and wellbeing projects and spaces of interest, meet with new partners and collaborators, access training and attend conferences and festivals.

Artist Chris Elliott, who upskilled in weaving and shrink pot making so he could broaden his offering at a local project he runs, said the small grant has had a big impact on the skills and earning potential of artists like him.

“Basic Willow weaving and Shrink pot making are now extra skills that I offer,” he said. “Although I have woven Willow previously for making sculptures, I was keen to learn the traditional basics for weaving baskets. The shrink pot making is an enjoyable process, even for clients who have never used woodworking tools. I have now invested in a range of tools to deliver shrink pot making as a day course in my woodland.”

Uschi Turoczy used her grant to join healthcare colleagues on a visit to The Welcome Trust and St Barts Hospital in London, where new active wellbeing spaces are being created or restored for patient, staff, leaders and the wider community.

“It was wonderful to reflect on the work being done in Arts and Health and connect with people who are passionate about providing and using art for therapeutic purposes,” she said. 

Rowan O’Neill added: “During the time of taking the course I have begun to lead a choir in Newport, Pembrokeshire. I am grateful for the support from Wales Arts Health and Wellbeing Network for supporting this inquiry and looking forward to developing this work further in communities in the coming months.”

As part of a rolling support programme, WAHWN offers a small number of micro grants to artists and professionals working across arts, health and wellbeing to ‘Go and See’ other projects, spaces of interest, meet with new partners and collaborators, support training costs, attend arts and health conferences or festivals.

Our Go & See fund is currently closed but it is hoped it will re-open from April 2024.

Sut mae ein bwrsariaeth ‘Mynd i Weld’ wedi tanio sgiliau a chysylltiadau i weithwyr proffesiynol yn y Celfyddydau, Iechyd a Llesiant yng Nghymru

Weithwyr proffesiynol yn y celfyddydau, iechyd a llesiant wedi sicrhau sgiliau, gwybodaeth a chysylltiadau newydd diolch i grantiau micro gan Rwydwaith Celfyddydau, Iechyd a Llesiant Cymru (WAHWN).

Lansiwyd bwrsariaeth ‘mynd i weld’ y rhwydwaith yn ystod gwanwyn 2022 i annog ymgeiswyr i ymweld â phrosiectau a mannau o ddiddordeb yn y celfyddydau, iechyd a llesiant, cwrdd â phartneriaid a chydweithwyr newydd, manteisio ar hyfforddiant a mynychu cynadleddau a gwyliau.

Yn ôl yr artist Chris Elliott, a ddysgodd sgiliau gwehyddu a gwneud potiau rhybannu er mwyn ehangu’r hyn mae’n ei gynnig mewn prosiect lleol mae’n ei redeg, mae’r grantiau hyn wedi cael effaith fawr ar sgiliau a gallu artistiaid i ennill arian.

“Mae gwehyddu helyg sylfaenol a chreu potiau rhybannu bellach yn sgiliau ychwanegol y gallaf i eu cynnig,” dywedodd. “Er fy mod wedi gwehyddu helyg o’r blaen ar gyfer gwneud cerfluniau, roeddwn i’n awyddus i ddysgu’r hanfodion traddodiadol ar gyfer gwehyddu basgedi. Mae’r broses o greu potiau rhybannu’n ddifyr, hyd yn oed i gleientiaid sydd erioed wedi defnyddio offer gwaith coed o’r blaen. Rwyf i bellach wedi buddsoddi mewn amrywiaeth o offer i gynnig creu potiau rhybannu fel cwrs undydd yn fy nghoetir.”

Defnyddiodd Uschi Turoczy ei grant i ymuno â chydweithwyr gofal iechyd ar ymweliad ag Ymddiriedolaeth Wellcome ac Ysbyty St Barts yn Llundain, lle mae mannau llesiant gweithredol yn cael eu creu neu eu hadnewyddu ar gyfer cleifion, arweinwyr a’r gymuned yn ehangach.

“Roedd yn wych cael cyfle i fyfyrio ar y gwaith a wneir yn y Celfyddydau ac Iechyd a chysylltu â phobl sy’n angerddol ynghylch darparu a defnyddio celf at ddibenion therapiwtig,” dywedodd hi.

Ychwanegodd @Rowan.O’Neill: “Yn ystod cyfnod y cwrs rwyf i wedi dechrau arwain côr yn Nhrefdraeth, Sir Benfro. Rwy’n ddiolchgar i Rwydwaith Celfyddydau, Iechyd a Llesiant Cymru am gefnogi’r ymholiad hwn ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen at ddatblygu’r gwaith ymhellach dros y misoedd nesaf”

Fel rhan o raglen dreigl o gefnogaeth mae WAHWN yn cynnig nifer o grantiau micro i artistiaid a gweithwyr proffesiynol ar draws y celfyddydau, iechyd a llesiant i ‘Fynd i Weld’ prosiectau a mannau eraill o ddiddordeb, cwrdd â phartneriaid a chydweithwyr newydd, cynorthwyo gyda chostau hyfforddiant a mynychu cynadleddau a gwyliau celfyddydol.

Mae cronfa Mynd i Weld ar gau ar hyn o bryd ond bydd yn ailagor ym mis Ebrill 2024.