Arts and Wellbeing Expertise Shared with Employers

Two recent graduates from City College Norwich’s ground-breaking Foundation Degree in Arts and Wellbeing have been talking to employers about creative approaches to wellbeing.

Holly Sandiford and Melanie Tilford both completed the Arts and Wellbeing course at the College – the first of its kind in the country – and are now doing an extra ‘top up’ year to achieve a full BA (honours) degree at NUCA.

A key message from the morning was that creative engagement can play an important role in long-term strategies for promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace.  

Representatives from employers including Bernard Matthews, Adnams, Ipswich Building Society and HMP Wayland, were treated to a highly interactive session to get them thinking about ways in which art and creativity can bring positive benefits in the workplace.       

The event, held at St Andrews House on Wednesday 7th December, was organised through Business in the Community and The Prince’s Seeing is Believing programme, and followed a visit earlier in the day to Norwich and Central Norfolk Mind.

Having heard firsthand about the impact that mental ill health can have on individuals, the visiting employers learnt how the FdA Arts and Wellbeing students have applied creative activities to support a diverse range of individuals in community, health and education settings.

Holly Sandiford is Co-Leader of the Shine Musical Theatre company, working with young people in the Catton Grove and Mile Cross Area.  Melanie Tilford works as a volunteer for the Sweet Arts project in Norwich, which supports women who are or have been subject to violence, abuse, isolation or other difficulties to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem through creativity.   
 
Jo Pretty, Head of the School of Creative & Business Industries, said: “The Arts and Wellbeing Foundation Degree course is all about using creative practice to get people engaged.  There are lots of benefits from applying creative approaches within business including, as we have seen today, improved staff wellbeing”.

If you would like to find out more about the Foundation Degree in Arts and Wellbeing, come along to our taster evening on Wednesday 8th December (6.30–8pm).  You will have the chance to talk to current students and see their work, find out about the course in detail and meet some of the tutors.  

Please contact course leader Brenda Unwin bunwin@ccn.ac.uk to book your place.  Tea and coffee provided.