WAHWN News
Go & See Microbursaries 2025–26: Supporting Connection, Learning and Creative Growth
Across 2025–26, WAHWN awarded 12 ‘Go & See Microbursaries’ to artists working across the arts, health and wellbeing sector. These small grants enabled recipients to explore new ideas, deepen their practice, and build meaningful connections by visiting projects, attending training, and engaging with peers across Wales and beyond.
The bursaries supported a wide range of activities - from attending conferences and festivals, to training, meeting collaborators, and visiting inspiring projects. Importantly, this round included dedicated support for Welsh language, global majority, and Deaf/Disabled practitioners, helping to address underrepresentation in applications to date. Almost everyone described their experience as very beneficial, helping to build confidence, develop new skills, and shape their professional direction. For many - especially freelancers - the bursary also helped ease the pressure of covering costs like travel and training, which can often be a real barrier.
Recipients consistently highlighted how valuable it was to connect with others, develop their skills, and take time to reflect. Through visits, training and events, they met new people, sparked collaborations, and picked up practical tools and ideas to strengthen their work in arts, health and wellbeing. Just as importantly, the bursaries gave them space to step away from day-to-day routines - offering time to recharge, feel inspired, and think differently about their practice.
Recipients reported:
- New partnerships and professional relationships
- Invitations to contribute to research projects and conferences
- Increased confidence in delivering workshops and programmes
- Enhanced ability to support diverse communities
- Fresh ideas and approaches being embedded into ongoing work
You can read more about how individual recipients used their bursaries in their blogs:
- Wrexham Social Prescribing visit – Gina Mollett
- Queerness in Natural History Symposium – Jess Tanner
- Jessica Ostroqicz at Discover Bucks Museum – Marion Cheung
- Down to Earth Training – Katie Keeble
- Disability Research Journey – Menna Buss
- Collaging Workshop with Hazel Pitt – Sarah Merton
- Arts in Health Short Course – Lisa Phillips / Stiwdio Mam
The Go & See Microbursary programme will be on hold for 2026–27 while WAHWN focuses other vital areas of support, including our Stepping In workforce diversity programme, our Co Lab Policy Network project 'Cynefin' and planning a round of quality principles training from Autumn.