Skip page header and navigation

This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week! We want to celebrate the importance of creativity and how this can help support children and young people’s wellbeing.

We know this year Mental Health Awareness Week might feel more poignant than ever. We are all - schools, teachers, parents and carers, children and young people - facing huge challenge and uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic. At Artsmark, we believe that now more than ever, we need to nurture and celebrate the creative lives of children and young people and the positive impact this can have. We’ve been collating some of our favourite free resources to help children fuel their imaginations and stay creative at home.

Resources to stay creative and feel good

  • Artsmark Partner, Tangled Feet, have launched the Mindfulness Project At Home, a series of online classes and mini-activities for primary school children. Using storytelling, yoga and drama, each session encourages children to use their creativity to develop positive strategies to manage anxious thoughts and feelings.  You can learn more about the project here and access sessions via Tangled Feet’s YouTube channel!
  • Artsmark Partner, Artis Foundation, shared with us their Top 10 Tips for Teaching Mental Health and Wellbeing in primary schools on our TES Teaching with Creativity hub. A fantastic, practical resource for teachers, parents and carers to help young people express their emotions through creative activities. Last year we spoke to Artis Foundation about their project You, Me, Together. Read more about it here.
  • 64 Million Artists’ project Create to Connect offers creative prompts for every day of May to help you stay connected, creative and curious at home. They’ve also put together an activity pack for schools and families featuring all of the prompts and flexible alternatives so no matter where you are or what resources you have to hand, everyone can get involved.
  • Action for Happiness is a project that inspires a kinder, happier society with daily prompts to encourage gratitude and small positive changes. A creative community that older children (plus teachers, parents and carers!) might enjoy getting involved in. With a positive social media presence, it will brighten up your timeline and help you to remain positive and kind in times of uncertainty.

For even more resources check our Coronavirus Update page for more ideas!

Do you have a resource you want to share with us? We’d love to hear from you, get in touch via artsmark@artscouncil.org.uk and share it with us!

Share this blog post