Over the summer I’ve been working on a really interesting pilot project for Magic Carpet at Ide Surgery in Exeter, based on evidence that creativity and arts activities have a big part to play in wellbeing.
Every Thursday afternoon for six weeks I’ve set up a small table with printing equipment in the surgery reception area and invited people to take part and make a small nature monoprint while waiting for the doctor or nurse.
Some people declined, but chatted about hobbies and pastimes, while many, aged anywhere between 4 and 90 were happy to have a go, and very pleased with what they were able to produce in the ten minutes it took them to make their print.
I gained lots of useful insights during the project, and the hope is to set up a more permanent arts for wellbeing project with the surgery, which from chatting to patients and carers would be very welcome and highly beneficial.