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Community Connection in Libraries
Jubilee Library in Brighton is working within the community to improve the health and wellbeing of their residents. Julie O’Neil, the Library Service Manager said: “We do our best to provide creative, cultural and enjoyable activities to anyone in the community…I think social prescribing is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time"
Art by Post
"Do you think art can save lives? It certainly saved mine."
Conceived of in lockdown, as a way to reach those most affected by isolation, Art by Post has supported people’s wellbeing by encouraging creativity.
Art by Post - Poems for Our Planet
Poems for Our Planet is the second iteration of the Art by Post project. Once a month for six months, those who signed up received a booklet which contained activities encouraging people to engage with and write about their appreciation of the natural world.
Over 4,000 people engaged with the project, many of whom received a referral through a social prescribing link worker. Victoria Ajani, who found out about Art by Post after she expressed feelings of loneliness, said:
“I’d feel really lonely if I didn’t have these places to go to... I didn’t know anything about poetry... now I do! And I’m improving!”
Her link worker, Tinka Gorden, agreed. She said: “Victoria has kind of blossomed in these different fields of art and creativity that she’s discovered through this project. It’s been extraordinary.”
String of Hearts
String of Hearts received funding from NASP’s pilot funding programme ‘Thriving Communities’. This project offers free, informal singing sessions to people who need community and connection. The kind of connection music has been proven to provide. Hear from two participants about the difference this activity has made to their lives in our blog.
