How we've helped Arts Well

Since the onset of the pandemic there have been a variety of challenges that its founder, Jayne Howard, has faced. However, embracing online platforms to deliver its sessions and a focus on the need to foster a sense of community at this time has seen Arts Well thrive.

“Initially it was a real challenge. Luckily, I was already familiar with Zoom as I had done some online facilitation prior to the pandemic, but even with this I have still had to really develop my skills in this type of work,” Jayne said.

A University College London study has shown that being involved with something creative was the most protective factor for mental wellbeing during the lockdown, above both exercise and volunteering. And, with that in mind, Jayne has furthered her efforts to bring people together and link creativity with wellbeing as we move out of the current lockdown restrictions.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of people who say they are quite solitary, and I had the feeling too about wanting to have people around me to bounce ideas off.

“I’m looking at creating some hot desk spaces here, bringing people together in the arts, health and wellbeing sectors, sharing lunch together and having a place that continues to support wellbeing for work for the many more people who are now working on their own at home,” Jayne said.

Coming to the Growth and Skills Hubs to help with business growth plans and acquiring new skills, Jayne has Arts Well in a great position to tackle whatever challenges may lie ahead.

“I kept hearing about the Growth and the Skills Hub but was never quite sure as to how I could engage with it. It clarified for me that as the training and coaching side of my work has taken off, I want to do more and there’s a need for me to better use digital marketing to extend my reach to people beyond Cornwall,” she said.

The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Growth Hub from May 2016 -  June 2023 was part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and match funded by Cornwall Council, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.  The project received £2,848,591.49 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. 

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Skills Hub from October 2017 - June 2023 was part funded by the European Social Fund and match funded by Cornwall Council and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. The project  received £2,885,993 of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.