Discover the benefits of creativity for your mental health during Arts and Health Week
Arc is inviting Stockport residents and anyone in the world to take part in #ArtsAndHealthWeek2025 and feel better through creativity, with free activities and resources both online and in-person at Hat Works and around the town.
From October 1st they’ll share 3 of their favourite creative wellbeing activities on a dedicated webpage. They’re tried and tested and can be used not only by individuals wanting to try something different for their wellbeing, but also by schools, businesses, community groups and healthcare providers to promote good mental health within their workplaces. The programme of free arts and health focussed events around Stockport (and one session online) includes socials, exhibitions, takeovers, creative workshops and programme showcases.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
30 Years of Arts and Health Retrospective Exhibition of photographs, posters and artwork from key projects from 30 years of Arc.
Our Long Goodbye Exhibition of photographs and creative writing on the subject of one mother and her daughter’s journey with Alzheimer’s.
MONDAY
Art Therapy for Healing Trauma, 12.00-15.00, Arc
Discover Young People’s Arc, 17.00-19.00, Arc
TUESDAY
Words for Wellbeing, 13.00-14.00, Offerton Library
WEDNESDAY
Arc’s Big Arts and Health Takeover, 11:00-16:00, Stockroom
Exploring Drawing for Wellbeing, 19:00-20:00, Online
THURSDAY
Photography for Wellbeing Walk, 10:30-12:30, Arc & Viaduct Park
Explore-and-Draw, 13:00-16:00, Arc & Hat Works Museum
Our Long Goodbye: Creative Ageing Workshop & Q&A, 18:45-20:15, Arc
FRIDAY
Art Social, 11:00–13:00, Hat Works Cafe
SATURDAY
Our Long Goodbye: Meet, Chat, Write, 11:00–13:00, Arc
Saturday Family Hats! 11:00-14:00, Arc
The 3 online activities available from 1st-12th October are:
Exploring Drawing: Drawing shouldn’t be scary! Use the easy, relaxing exercises in the short film to reduce stress, soothe a busy mind and enjoy the activity of drawing.
Words and Wellbeing: Discover the freedom of writing using words from existing pages of text. Reveal ‘hidden poems’ using the simple block out poetry technique and inspire your imagination to create artwork with no fear!
Time Out Photography: Take yourself on a photography walk to discover how looking with your camera can improve your wellbeing, bring your focus to the here and now and connect you to your surroundings.
Visit www.ArtsAndHealthWeek.co.uk to get involved!
Arc is one of the UK’s leading arts and mental health charities, based at Hat Works in Stockport town centre, working across Greater Manchester to provide arts programmes and services to improve people’s mental wellbeing, plus public programmes. Arc turned 30 this year and is celebrating with several events across the year.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government.
