Spotlight on Wellbeing: ‘A hidden part of me brought out’

The Southbank Centre has announced a touring exhibition featuring more than 600 pieces of art created in lockdown which show the power of art on health and well-being.

The exhibition will open on September 20 at the Southbank Centre before embarking on a five-month tour of venues including Dulwich Picture Gallery and King’s College Hospital Trust.

The project is the culmination of the Southbank Centre’s Covid initiative, Art by Post.

It started in May 2020, and has provided 4,500 people at risk from social isolation, loneliness and digital exclusion with free cultural activities.

James Sanderson, chief executive of the National Academy for Social Prescribing who are working with the Southbank Centre, said: “Art by Post project has clearly demonstrated the positive benefit that art can have on people’s well-being.

“Connecting people to art projects like this is one way that social prescribing link workers can support people, alongside their existing health plans.”

Curated by Persilia Caton, the exhibition will showcase creative responses to the commissioned activity booklets organised by themes such as nature, hope, sound and movement. Shaped by the isolating experience of lockdown, the artworks celebrate creativity and resilience.

Participants have spoken about the benefits, with one saying: “Since starting the Art by Post and putting words down on paper, especially the poems, it seems to be much easier, you have brought out a part of me that has laid hidden for virtually all my life, so for that alone, I thank you.”

An online exhibition will launch at the same time to showcase the poignant creative responses to Art by Post, connecting those who are continuing to shield, or who are unable to travel, to the regional touring sites. Pop-ups at major NHS hospital trusts and care settings will bring the exhibition to local communities.

The programme will be supplemented by a campaign to showcase the Southbank Centre’s role in delivering arts and cultural initiatives that promote positive health and well-being.

This includes a special commission as part of National Day of Arts in Care Homes as part of the Mayor of London’s Dementia Friendly Venues Charter.

The Southbank Centre and National Academy for Social Prescribing relationship began in June 2019.

By the end of the year the body will be based at the site The academy aims to champion the value of social prescribing by demonstrating the power of the arts, culture, sports, leisure and the natural environment in connecting people and communities.

Online masterclasses for community groups will be held across the country.

Director of creative learning, Southbank Centre, Alexandra Brierley, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Art by Post and its reach this past year, bringing free cultural activities to 4,500 people nationwide to ease isolation, loneliness and digital exclusion.”

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How creative pursuits benefit well-being

Artists have a reputation for being tortured souls, but evidence actually shows creative pursuits have a positive effect on well-being.

In a 2018 study of 50,000 people, the BBC Arts Great British Creativity Test, along with University College London, explored how creative activities can help us manage our mood and boost well-being.

The research showed there are three main ways we use creativity as coping mechanisms to control our emotions.

The first is as a distraction tool, by using creativity to avoid stress.

We also use it as a tool for contemplation, using creativity to give us the mind space to reassess problems in our lives and make plans Another way creativity can help our mental health is through self-development. Creative pursuits can build self-esteem and confidence which allow us to face challenges more easily.

The study also found that it did not matter how good we are at the activity, and it’s the taking part that counts. In fact, trying new creative activities is particularly good for our emotions and well-being.

Constantly learning and trying new creative pursuits is also more beneficial, as the survey revealed that doing an activity for more than 10 years, means it can become less effective at regulating negative emotions.

The findings also revealed that we get emotional benefits from even a single session of creativity and there are cumulative benefits from regular engagement. And, when we’re facing hardships in our lives, creative activities are particularly beneficial for our emotions.