ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE
Art, Culture and Heritage (ACH) Thematic.
This group is new and only starting to reach out to active groups and communities. It is not yet connected to any existing arts, culture and heritage groups in the county and has not been converted from an existing group. A list of potential members is being researched and created.
Overall Purpose
Create healthy environments by
• promoting the use of green spaces and safe areas for exercise and enjoy leisure activities in our many beautiful heritage sites across the county.
• Facilitate access to the high-quality art and culture initiatives we have across the county
As a way to promote good mental health and to prevent or intervene in the emergence of mental health problems.
To raise awareness and foster collaboration among art, cultural, and heritage initiatives in the county.
These initiatives are facing challenges in terms of financial support and there is a lack of public recognition of the advantages of engaging with these groups, in terms of mental health wellbeing.
Connect rather than re-invent.
Experts suggest that participation in social groups has a normative influence on behaviours. Research has shown that active involvement and being integrated into social relationships:
· Confers a protective benefit against maladaptive behaviours and damaging health consequences.
· Promotes emotional well-being, enhances physical health, and fosters a sense of fulfilment and success in life.
Facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices is essential for fostering collaboration and mutual learning among art, culture, and heritage initiatives themselves, consequently, the Key Priorities for the ACH Thematic will be to:
• Collaborate with, support, and promote, countywide, the many beautiful historic houses and sites, museums, galleries and societies in Northamptonshire.
• Support the growth and development of local artistic initiatives by pro-actively engaging with the various arts, culture and heritage groups across the county who are helping to foster a vibrant and inclusive cultural environment. There are a number of art, culture and heritage organisations in the county, but many are struggling for funding and support.
• Launch campaigns to improve/increase awareness and knowledge of what is available in the community, through public and targeted campaigns to educators, schools, colleges and UON, to healthcare settings, workplaces and community spaces.
• Promote social integration and inclusion, by actively encouraging participation in local art, culture and heritage social groups. At the same time highlight the importance of art and culture in enhancing people's lives.
• Help ensure that individuals and groups have access to a wide range of cultural experiences and opportunities and can integrate into the social groups in their local area so that they can immerse themselves in artistic and cultural experiences, can tap into their inner creativity, explore various perspectives, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, thereby enabling mental health well-being with an ultimate aim of reducing mental health stigma.
• Strengthen links between art, culture and heritage initiatives/groups and health practitioners with the purpose of integrating more art, cultural and heritage activities into mental health support systems. Recognising that social prescribing is an important approach to increase mental well-being via the positive and preventive effects of nature, arts, sports on mental health, it is our intention to reach out to Social Prescribing link workers to ensure they are fully aware of the many active art, culture and heritage initiatives in the county and specifically in their local prescribing area. Many art and cultural societies are established for social reasons. They do not reach out to groups or organisations supporting mental health well-being.
Commit to the goal of ‘leaving no one behind, reaching the furthest behind first’:
Recognising that poor mental health is strongly related to social issues such as poverty, social exclusion, the ACH Thematic will focus on opportunities to improve mental health and well-being and reduce mental health inequalities by promoting the value of becoming involved in art, culture and heritage to these vulnerable groups
We will aim to do that by collaborating with the other Thematics. We will take on board any specific needs the other Thematics have identified for specific vulnerable groups and communities and focus on them to identify what art, culture and heritage opportunities are available to them.
That will mean that we will focus particularly on those who are considered as risk groups for poor mental health i.e. socioeconomically disadvantaged, lack social networks, live in remote areas, young children, adolescents and young adults, and the elderly, particularly those living alone, and will then participate in meaningful decision-making processes to identify and agree what is missing or required and create a tailored approach to develop solutions fitting their needs, preferences and possibilities, while also being inclusive and taking into account diversity when identifying and analysing solutions. A community needing such support has already been identified and working with that community and the other relevant Thematics will form the basis for one of the early projects for the ACH Thematic.
Recent Highlights
On 18th October the independent chair of the Northamptonshire VCSE, Miranda Wixon DL and the ACH Thematic co-ordinated a launch event at the Northampton Museum for the Physical Activity & Sport (SPA) Thematic and the ACH Thematic. The launch event coincided with October Black History Month, and so provided the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the rich cultures, achievements, and perspectives of the African, Asian, and Caribbean communities and their profound influence on our county.
With the support of West Northampton Council we produced the first of a series of VCSE Assembly films celebrating the contribution of minority interest groups across the county who contribute to the wellbeing of the lives they touch daily.
The launch event featured a Talking Heads film, showcasing positive achievers, accompanied by music and art. Following an inspiring opening cameo from The High Sheriff, Mr Milan Shah MBE, the film included contributions from public, civic and community life. Each nominated the person who had most influenced and inspired them to achieve what they themselves have achieved. Others nominated someone who is now making a significant contribution to the county and whose efforts positively impact wellbeing in our communities right across Northamptonshire. Music was provided by Gayathrie Peiris Patrick, a Sri Lankan-born soprano of international repute, now living in Northamptonshire and Weekes Baptiste, whose produced a short play, recalling the launch of the NHS and the impact of Windrush 75 years ago this year.
The film will serve as a valuable educational resource in schools, village halls, and community groups throughout the county, spreading the inspiring stories and achievements of individuals who have made this county the great place, where a million+ people live, work or visit.
Within the ACH Thematic, we believe that by:
· Investing in social cohesion and social capital, as well as supporting facilitators in the community, we can build a foundation to aid the recovery of our communities and empower vulnerable groups.
· Reaching into the communities, as described, will create a sense of belonging, will foster positive relationships, and will encourage community engagement.
· strengthening those social connections and developing shared values and resources, individuals facing challenges can find support, gain confidence, and regain control over their lives, post Covid-19 and the challenges being experienced during the cost of living crisis.
Hopefully this approach will promote resilience, encourage self-determination, and ultimately will help vulnerable individuals and groups in their journey towards full recovery and self-empowerment.
We feel that by investing in these initiatives, we can gain insights into the specific needs and challenges faced by our vulnerable populations, such as marginalized communities or individuals with limited resources. It is known that such research can shed light on the complex relationship between mental health and socio-economic factors, which will deepen our understanding of these connections and will inform effective strategies for intervention and support.
Establishing and contributing to an infrastructure for data gathering and enabling collaboration and knowledge exchange among the different Thematic Groups working towards social inclusion sharing across the various Thematic groups i.e an evidence-based approach will:
· Foster mutual learning. See note below
· Contribute to and inform the development of targeted and effective policies, programs, initiatives and resources to address unique circumstances in different communities and promote the well-being of vulnerable groups.
· Facilitate the building of an evidence base regarding the benefits of social inclusion and will help emphasise its importance, such as improved well-being, increased equality, and enhanced community cohesion,.
· Promote inclusivity and equal opportunities for all individuals within our communities across the county.
· Facilitate the identification of best practices, the sharing of innovative approaches, and the cultivation of a supportive network that collectively will work towards positive change. This multi-dimensional approach will ensure that efforts are aligned, impactful, and sustainable, leading to meaningful improvements in mental health outcomes and fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals.
This exchange will enable diverse initiatives to succeed and thrive by learning from each other's successes and challenges. By sharing best practices, the organisations and individuals involved in these initiatives can enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in implementing strategies that yield positive outcomes. This collaborative approach will promote innovation, encourage continuous improvement, and will create a supportive environment for the growth and development of the art, culture, and heritage sectors. Ultimately, the exchange of knowledge and best practices will contribute to the overall success and enrichment of arts, culture and heritage.
Fostering mutual learning, cross Thematic and cross-county cooperation will be crucial for promoting action, connecting experts, and exchanging information and support. Through this type of collaboration, we are confident that diverse groups will be able to set up action plans and targeted actions that will enhance their delivery and will strengthen their offerings. In turn by pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise, these collaborative efforts will contribute to improving mental health and inclusivity within the community and across the county.
Contacts
Connie G. Penn. connie@kilrush.co.uk 07771 804501
C G Penn
I am Connie G. Penn, Founder and Operations Director Northants Youth Music 23. (NYM 23) Voluntary. - After 30+ years running a successful consultancy in card-based payments, I am now focused on dedicating my time to helping young people continue to develop their musicianship post formal education
Northants Youth Music 23 aims to create rehearsal and performance opportunities for singers and musicians (aged 18-30) to facilitate their continual development of classical to jazz music, regardless if they are starting out in a career in music, already have achieved some success, or just want to continue to sing or make music for leisure.
We aim to:
• Help young people to further develop their musical talent, post formal education.
• Identify locations where young musicians can perform; collaborate with other musicians and build new friendships and connections; develop musicianship.
• Facilitate singing and music workshops to give young people the opportunity to gain experience in planning, marketing and staging performances, in addition to actually performing.
• Bring music to more young people to give a sustainable sense of well-being through socialisation and the power of music, which is known as a great component for healing, by looking at opportunities to create some youth choirs, bands and orchestras.
We have a timetable to apply for charity status for Northants Youth Music 23 in 2023/2024.
The Crysalys Foundation Volunteer. The charity supports disadvantaged children and their families, through charitable activities and plans helping to prevent, understand and treat trauma and related issues in young people.
I am currently analysing local needs for the cross sector partnership People Project, focused on crime, substance misuse and mental health illness reduction in Queensway, Kingsway and Hemmingwell. As part of the project, we are collecting information on what is available/not available, free and paid for, in the estates with a view to:
· Understand the existing youth offer that could help prevent, reduce, divert and disrupt the entrance of children and young people into the criminal justice system.
· Looking to reduce violent crime and escalation from ASB to violent crime.
· Once we identify what is available, we will then work with to local community to identify what is needed.
SON – Stand Out Northamptonshire September 2022 – Present
Volunteer – SON’s ambition is to transform the life outcomes of local children in care / looked after children and care leavers.
