Pembrokeshire arts charity SPAN will deliver a pioneering series of projects, using singing, theatre and creative writing to help people across the county whose health and wellbeing has been adversely affected by the pandemic.

Art Well is a partnership between SPAN, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS), PAVS Community Connectors, Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda UHB Research Innovation and Improvement Coordination Hub, aimed at building resilience of isolated individuals/communities in Pembrokeshire through the arts.

The partnership is funded by HARP - Health, Arts, Research, People - an innovation and research partnership between Arts Council of Wales and Y Lab (Cardiff University & Nesta), to explore how we can generate, grow and learn about impactful creative innovations that support the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales.

Art Well is among 10 projects funded across Wales.

Director Kathryn Lambert said: “SPAN is incredibly proud to be running 1 of these 10 projects nationally to help strengthen arts and health provision across Wales.

“We have put together a dedicated team of partners to help us find a way to sustain arts and health in the county and to continue to offer respite and improve wellbeing through arts engagement in Pembrokeshire.”

The programme has three strands which will be delivered in a mix of online and face to face workshops (as and when government regulation allows) designed to engage a diverse range of participants.

Each strand builds on successful pilot projects working with professional artists and community members.

Remote Choir will facilitate singing activity for older people in day and residential care settings.

Theatr Soffa is a digital community theatre company for self-referred participants while Shared Worlds workshops provide opportunities for adults dealing with grief through the pandemic to explore creative writing for wellbeing and connection.

Each project will have two seasons spread across the year so there are plenty of opportunities for participation.

Span Arts are encouraging would-be participants and volunteers to get in touch to register an interest in this pioneering programme which hopes to build long lasting links between arts and health organisations for years to come.

Contact [email protected] for more information.