Researchers at the University of Bristol are conducting research in order to better understand wellbeing and are seeking people to take part in an online questionnaire study. The researchers note that most attempts to measure wellbeing and quality of life involve very short and general scales that do not really provide a true picture of the richness and diversity of wellbeing.
The Baring Foundation has been funding work that engages older people in arts and culture for nearly 10 years. They would like to hear the views of those who work for arts and culture organisations and individual practitioners. Has the arts sector in the UK changed how it engages with older participants over the last decade?
We are currently doing a bit of a spring clean and what to find out more about who our followers, users and members are and what you want from us. Please take a few minutes to answer some questions which will help shape what we offer as a charity.
The annual survey from Voluntary Arts highlights the contribution that the voluntary and amateur creative sector makes to addressing loneliness and social isolation. Despite the challenges faced by creative individuals and groups, and the broader context of political uncertainty, optimism about the future of the voluntary arts sector remains high, scoring 4.35 out of a possible 5.
Attitude is Everything (AIE) is creating a new network to connect musicians with access requirements, and help them to secure fundraising and showcasing opportunities. The network will be informed by the Next Stage Survey, which looks at the experiences of Deaf and disabled musicians, including questions on rehearsing, making arts funding applications, recording in the studio, and performing live shows.
Give: Volunteering for Wellbeing is a Heritage Lottery funded project led by University College London on behalf of the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance in collaboration with the Horniman Museum and Gardens, Natural History Museum, and Valence House Museum. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project aims to make heritage more accessible to people experiencing health inequalities.
The Health Foundation has expressed concern about the Office of National Statistics' new figures concerning loneliness amongst young people. The Foundation says that "loneliness is a key risk factor for the future health of young people". The ONS report based on data from 2016 and 2017 has revealed that younger adults (aged 16-24) reported more loneliness than older adults.
ACE has produced a new comprehensive report to support the process of developing its ten-year strategy. The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance has also published guidance for responding to the strategy.
Researchers at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University are looking for individuals who are creative practitioners who are currently working in participatory arts for health and wellbeing or have done so in the last 18 months.
ACE is currently running a series of consultation events across the country for its new 10-year strategy, including in London between 6 and 14 November. The framework features health and wellbeing more prominently than in previous ACE strategies - as well as the concept of 'community-led' practice. It also seeks to shift its language from 'arts' to 'creativity' and 'culture'.
