A Beachful of joy at this year’s Weston Arts + Health Festival
July 23, 2024
A weekend of community celebration spilled on to the sand in Weston-super-Mare at the annual Weston Arts + Health Festival partnership between Super Culture and The Arts & Culture Programme, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
Marking the fifth edition of the event which took place from 11 – 14 July, the ‘Take Five’ theme invited people of all ages along to the Festival Hub – a beautiful canvas tent on the beach – to explore a range of uplifting experiences designed to encourage taking time out to do something enjoyable.
The programme of free events focused on the Five Ways to Wellbeing, a set of evidence-based actions to improve personal wellbeing: connect, be active, learn new skills, give to others, take notice.
‘Take Five’ included something for everyone, with music, dance, song, poetry, walks, circus performance, arts & crafts, tea cup planting, storytelling, doodling, stitching & weaving, tea parties, ‘Posh Club’ cabaret and a finale Peace Feast amongst the many activities – all topped up with free tea and filled to the brim with community spirit.
A charity auction of more than 100 crocheted tea cosies created by local crafters in the run up to the Festival and supported by Alliance Homes, raised an amazing £1,065 for Weston Hospicecare and Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity.
As part of the festival, staff and patients at Weston General Hospital also enjoyed a day of special activities from coaster making, mug-painting and biscuit decorating to tea parties with live music on some of the Older People wards.
Additional events took place with community groups in the town in the run up to the festival weekend, including cream teas and tea cosy crocheting workshops.
Commenting on the success of the event, Fiona Matthews, creative director at Super Culture, said: “What a joyful time was had at this year’s Weston Arts + Health Festival in the most iconic Weston setting. The generosity of the whole community, whether sharing their creative skills, creating tea cosies, volunteering or simply topping one another up with tea and conversation, was so heartwarming. The event brimmed over with many special moments – in particular, the memory of 100 older Posh Club guests singing and dancing to Elvis will keep us smiling until next Summer!”
“We are hugely grateful to UHBW Arts & Culture team for their partnership on the Festival which helps to highlight the many brilliant creative opportunities that are available year-round, and also to the Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, Alliance Homes, and wider partners for their ongoing support and commitment.”
Frances Macadam, Head of Arts Programme for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), added: “We were delighted by the curiosity and engagement from the people of Weston across the weekend at the Festival Hub on the beach, spending time enjoying a cup of tea and trying out creative activities.
“Inspired by the Festival, people shared their personal actions to support their own health and wellbeing beyond the weekend. A big highlight has to be the atmosphere created during the tea parties on some of our Older People Wards at Weston General, a heartwarming and uplifting moment. The Arts + Health Festival would not be possible without our partnership with Super Culture and support from Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity.”
Visitors to the Festival have shown their appreciation in a range of positive comments collated over the weekend:
“It is a pleasure to be part of such a SUPER community.”
“Thank you to the organisers to showcase our beautiful town…what a wonderful weekend, lovely tea cosies and fantastic sing-a-long. Loved every minute and nice to meet new people.”
“Posh Club was just the BEST. What a great variety of acts – such fun!!”
“Love all the calmness, beauty, creativity and love”
“Amazing bird walk this morning with the wonderful Chris Sperring. My first proper walk since before lockdown so THANK YOU!”
Weston Arts + Health Festival 2024 is supported by funding from Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity and Arts Council England. Additional support is also gratefully received from Arts and Humanities Research Council and Bristol University (as part of Coastal Community and Creative Health programme), Mendip Hills National Landscape, Alliance Homes, North Somerset Community Food grant, Loves, and Revo Kitchen.
