This Creativity in Health and Wellbeing in the Community project is a community arts initiative led by Cork City Council in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation, Cork City Partnership, HSE Southwest, and Cork Healthy Cities. It aims to address isolation and foster connections through creative engagement with individuals experiencing isolation, identified through the “Friendly Call Programme”, who will be engaged in tailored artistic activities designed to spark creativity and provide meaningful social interaction. The project will also bridge generations by facilitating collaborative creative projects between active retired groups and 5th class students in Knocknaheeny and Mayfield.

In the first phase (2024), Irish Hospice Foundation will provide specialised arts and grief work training, as well as bereavement network training for project leads, collaborators, and community leaders. 

In the follow-on development phase, focus will shift to offering specific arts and grief training for creative leads and facilitation teams, tailored to the unique needs of the project. By preparing artists and facilitators with the appropriate skills and understanding, the project will ensure that the subsequent creative workshops are conducted with empathy and sensitivity, providing meaningful support to those dealing with loss. Through these foundational phases, the project aims to create a supportive environment that promotes healing and connection through artistic expression.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.