ArtsBoost
Youth arts wellbeing sessions
An artist-led animation course aimed at supporting 13-17 year olds awaiting NHS treatment for mental ill-health
SPAN Arts is a partner organisation with Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB) improving mental health and reducing feelings of distress in children and young people known to Specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (SCAMHS) and UHB. ArtsBoost is supported by the Arts Council of Wales and The Baring Foundation.
Now in its second year SPAN has been working with artist and animator Gemma Green-Hope and artist and illustrator Hannah Rounding. The Me, Myself and I sessions are designed to be well-being experiences in a space that’s safe and held by professionals. Participants use animation and digital skills to create their own worlds and tell their own stories.
The arts are proven to help with health and wellbeing, SPAN Arts in Pembrokeshire, Small World Theatre in Ceredigion and People Speak Up in Carmarthenshire are the creative partners commissioned to deliver these arts-based activities.
To be eligible to take part in future sessions, you must be known to SCAMHS and either waiting for, or accessing support from your local primary mental health team.
For more details about ArtsBoost, please contact Kathryn Lambert, Kathryn.Lambert@wales.nhs.uk, Hywel Dda UHB, Arts in Health Coordinator or Bethan Morgan, info@span-arts.org.uk, SPAN Arts Community Producer.

Gemma Green-Hope is an artist and animator. In collaboration with SPAN Arts, she is co-facilitator of the ArtsBoost project along with artist and illustrator Hannah Rounding.
‘I’ll be showing you lots of different animation techniques week by week, as we explore the stories you’d like to tell, your identity and what matters to you.’ – Gemma Green-Hope
This project was funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the Welsh Government, The National Lottery, The Baring Foundation, and Hywel Dda University Health Board.

