Norfolk County Council celebrate Creativity and Wellbeing Week with a programme of events

Norfolk County Council is once again participating in the national Creativity and Wellbeing Week, held from 15-22 May 2023. This annual festival celebrates the power of creativity and culture to improve health and wellbeing.

The week is an opportunity for thousands of creatives and arts and cultural organisations to showcase the wide-ranging work they are doing to support health and wellbeing in Norfolk and around the UK.

In Norfolk, there's a great mix of events on offer across the county from the county council's libraries team, adult learning department, museums service, and the Norfolk Record Office. There will also be events from partners such as the Norfolk Music Hub, healthcare providers, and local arts organisations and artists.

A range of events are available for people of all ages with activities including art and craft workshops, music and singing groups, dance classes, creative writing sessions, exhibitions, music and theatre performances, as well as experiences presented by the Norfolk & Norwich Festival.

Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, cabinet member for communities and partnerships said: "Norfolk Creativity and Wellbeing Week offers the perfect opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to get involved, get creative, and feel good.

"The week is a key part of the council's ongoing work to encourage and support greater collaboration between our arts, culture, heritage and health partners and also showcases the excellent work of Norfolk based artists and organisations."

Hannah Lake, Director, Touring and Cambridge, Arts Council England, said: "Through our regular funding in two of our Investment Principle Support Organisations, we are delighted to be able to support the fantastic creative activity that will take place during Creativity and Wellbeing Week. In partnership with local authorities and enterprises across the country, London Arts in Health and the Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance ensure that restorative cultural experiences popup in every corner of England, including right here in East Anglia.

"It's brilliant to see the enriching events on offer this year in Norfolk, made possible through increased collaboration between local libraries, the Norfolk Music Education Hub and health partnerships in the region, as well between many local artists, arts organisations and Norfolk County Council. We all know how important cultural experiences are to our own sense of wellbeing, and what impact they can have on our mental health, so I encourage everyone to enthusiastically engage with the opportunities on offer in Norfolk this year."

Matt Walsh, co-chair of the Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance, said: "Creativity and culture are not nice-to-haves but an essential component of a healthy society. They help us to build hope, deepen relationships and create community. We have never needed this more than we do now."

To see a full list events and book a place, please visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/GetCreative.