WAHWN News

WAHWN appoints Stepping In Manager for next phase 

WAHWN is delighted to announce the appointment of Rebecca Hardy-Griffith as Programme Manager for phase two of its Stepping In programme.

Stepping In is a training and mentoring programme for a cohort of eight mentees, funded by the Arts Council of Wales’ Arts, Health & Wellbeing Lottery Fund. Rebecca is an Assistant Curator at Artes Mundi and brings over 15 years’ experience working across the arts and creative sectors. A Welsh-speaking practitioner based in North Wales, she has previously worked with the Arts Council of Wales’ arts, health and wellbeing team, served as Chair of the artist-led network CARN, and has been a member of Disability Arts Cymru and Reginal Print Centre Wrecsam. Alongside this, she maintains an active visual art practice.

Rebecca will oversee phase two of the programme, which will run until the end of 2026. This phase responds to the under-representation of Welsh-speaking practitioners and those with protected characteristics within the arts and health creative workforce. The programme aims to nurture a cohort of practitioners who can deliver projects in healthcare and community settings and who share the lived experiences of people from Welsh-speaking and minoritised communities.

“I am so pleased to be working in this sector again and to be witnessing the tangible impact these projects have on people’s lives,” she said. “They reinforce the value of arts and culture as a vital contributor to health and wellbeing."

“I am particularly motivated to collaborate once again with all the partners, and to work collectively to develop the sector for artists and creative practitioners who are Welsh-speaking and those with protected characteristics.”

The programme will support participants to take part in a week-long intensive training programme, shadow an experienced artist on a live project in a health or community setting for up to 10 days, and receive mentoring sessions, a bursary and wrap-around support, including supervision and peer support.

Phase two of Stepping In will be delivered in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Fran Wen, Pontio, Theatr Cymru and Denbighshire Leisure Ltd.