Saltwater Workshop 2

Community Arts Sessions Support Wellbeing

At ABP, we value the importance of understanding the impact our social value initiatives are having, and through our work with Hyde, we were delighted to provide a community grant to fund a creative wellbeing project delivered by our partners Saltwater Creations CIC, a small business delivering beach-themed arts sessions that encourage positive mental and emotional wellbeing.

The funding enabled Saltwater Creations to deliver five inclusive arts sessions, which brought together 35 participants, many of whom were experiencing challenges such as loneliness, bereavement, caring responsibilities, cancer recovery, mental health difficulties, financial hardship and previous homelessness.

Saltwater Workshop 1
Saltwater Workshop 3

The sessions were designed to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and help people build connections with others.

Activities included:

  • Under the Sea meditative canvas painting sessions

  • Community art workshops by the coast

  • Driftwood dreamcatcher creation using natural and recycled coastal materials

  • Creative sessions with residents at Hyde Later Living schemes in Petworth and Hunston

At one Hyde Later Living session, residents worked together to create driftwood dreamcatchers for their communal garden, with the artwork now displayed in communal spaces.

The lovely feedback from those who took part shows just how much the opportunity to get creative, spend time with others and have conversations around wellbeing was valued:

"It got me out of my house and socialising with others. It enabled me to have conversations about art which I don't get to do very much."

"It was lovely being creative and in the moment for the session. I enjoyed being with other ladies and chatting, especially about wellbeing."

The sessions have been so well received that 10 additional Hyde Later Living schemes have requested future sessions with Saltwater Creations.

And there’s been more good news... Saltwater Creations has successfully secured two years of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, helping to provide longer-term funding for its programmes.

With Saltwater Creations having now reached more than 9,700 people through its inclusive, sea-inspired arts and wellbeing workshops, we’re proud to have played a small part in its work and look forward to seeing its continued impact.