Arts and culture activities boost children and young people's health and wellbeing in Fenland

Primary school children, teenagers and young adults aged 18-24 took part in 'Express Yourself', a six-week programme of arts and culture activities held in Chatteris, March, Whittlesey and Wisbech and in ten village schools.

The project was delivered by Fenland-based 20Twenty Productions, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, thanks to £50,000 of 'tackling prevention' funding secured by Fenland District Council from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System.

The project was aimed at supporting children and young people's health and wellbeing through arts and cultural activity, based on the NHS '5 Ways to Wellbeing'.

Participants engaged in a range of fun activities including creating digital art, making Lego stop motion animations, clay modelling, dance, making sensory caterpillars, shadow puppets and fidget toys, playing music with Boomwhackers and much more.

They also received a Young Health Programme (YHP) journal based on the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, and an Express Yourself bag with goodies.

Eleven different artists and creative professionals who live or work in Fenland worked with members of 20Twenty Productions' wellbeing team to deliver the sessions. They were also supported with training to further their own skills and development, covering everything from special educational needs and disabilities, safeguarding, the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, and how to support children and young people struggling with social, emotional, and mental health challenges.

A total of 269 primary school children, 78 teenagers and 16 young adults took part in the project, which gained fantastic feedback.

Schools reported that many pupils grew in confidence and became less anxious across the course of the six-week sessions, and thoroughly enjoyed the activities.

One pupil was very withdrawn and quiet at the start of the sessions, but over the six-weeks showed a marked change in behaviour - talking with others and laughing and smiling as their voice grew.

Another going through difficulties at home became very withdrawn at school, but his teaching assistant said the Express Yourself sessions helped him to become his old self again.

Rhianna Regan, a member of the 20Twenty Productions wellbeing team, said: "I think the Express Yourself programme was great. Using art to support young people's wellbeing worked really well and meant that young people were able to access different forms of art that they wouldn't normally get to access within school time whilst learning how to manage their wellbeing on a low-level basis. Many young people were excited and eager to engage in our sessions though out the six weeks."

Cllr Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council's Portfolio Holder for Transport, Heritage and Culture, said: "The 'Express Yourself' project has been a fantastic opportunity for young people to explore how arts and culture can positively impact their health and wellbeing. It's great to see how creative activities can boost confidence, foster connection, and promote mental and emotional wellness. This project highlights how investing in our children's wellbeing through the arts can make a lasting difference in our community."

Katherine Nightingale, Chief Executive and Creative Director at 20Twenty Productions, added: "The outcomes of this project have been extremely positive; we are keen to develop this to sessions over a full term."

MaryAnn Watson, Integrated Neighbourhood Programme Manager - Fenland Locality, at the North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Care Partnership, said: "I'd like to express my thanks to Fenland District Council, 20Twenty Productions and to the artists involved for the Express Yourself project.

"The project reached a significant number of children and young people across the district. It was clear from the really positive feedback that it was a great success and supports our 5 Ways to Wellbeing."

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September 2024