A leading Greater Manchester arts organisation has secured funding to bring Arts and Health Week back for a fifth year, 6-12th October 2025.
Arts for Recovery in the Community (Arc) has received £32,000 funding from the UK Government with the aim of Arts and Health Week reaching more people than ever across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Led by Chief Executive Jacqui Wood, Arc’s new funding will allow the creation of a week-long programme of opportunities for individuals, schools, colleges, families and businesses to improve mental health this October, using simple creative techniques.
In 2025, mental health indicators for Greater Manchester remain a significant concern, with anxiety affecting over one-third of the region’s residents and mental health disorders on the rise among young people.
Events include 11 free creative workshops for all ages, photography walks, drawing workshops plus a number of ageing and Alzheimer’s talks and exhibitions that have been developed to help everyone in the community to get creative to boost their wellbeing. There is a dedicated website through which anyone can access information to boost their own health and wellbeing through creativity including tips and activities.
Arc’s CEO, Jacqui Wood, said: ‘We are very grateful for the new funding. Hundreds of people over the years have attended events, visited exhibitions, taken part in networks and engaged with us and this year we will be able to reach even more people across Greater Manchester to do something creative to look after their wellbeing through the new website and comprehensive events programme.’
Arts and Health Week runs from October 6th – 12th 2025 at Arc and other venues plus online, during the annual World Mental Health Day commemorations.
Event programme
Young People’s Arc 06/10/25, 5-7pm, Arc (Hat Works)
Discover the power of creativity to support 11-17s. Learn about Arc’s impactful Arts for Mental Health programmes for young people including taster sessions of core programme activities including visual art and music making. Hear inspiring testimonials and meet members of the team, who will be able to answer any questions about the programme and talk about the referral/sign up process. This free event is for parents/carers, referrers and young people aged 11-17, drop-in or book online.
Art Therapy for Healing Trauma workshop 06/10/25 12-3pm, Arc (Hat Works)
Participants to bring a personal object of choice; something that recalls either a pleasant or unpleasant memory. This free workshop will teach how objects become opportunities for expressing hidden emotions and discovering new meaning, through painting, writing, sound and movement. This workshop will be delivered by trauma specialist therapists, Yaran Northwest. Booking advised – refreshments provided.
Words for Wellbeing 07/10/25, 1-2pm at Offerton Library
A relaxed, fun and friendly session at Offerton Library, exploring word play to help people relax and connect with others. The session will be led by Arc’s writer in residence, Linda Cosgriff, using fun prompts to get people writing. Free of charge and open to everyone.
Arc’s Arts and Health Take Over of Stockroom, 08/10/25, 11am-4pm, Merseyway
Drop-in to Stockroom, Merseyway between 11am-4pm on October 8th for friendly, guided creative activities designed to look after mental health. Arc’s team of experienced artists and volunteers will be on hand to showcase simple creative activities to help aid relaxation and boost mood. This free event is open to adults, teens and accompanied children are welcome. Activities include block out poetry, zentangles on watercolour blobs, weaving plus colouring heads which will encourage people to leave feeling uplifted and inspired.
Online Drawing for Wellbeing 08/10/25, 7- 8pm
Feeling frazzled and want to learn the tools to wind down after a busy or stressful day? This relaxing, artist-led creative session will help busy people switch off from worries. Participants will be guided through simple, playful drawing activities designed to relax and de-stress. This friendly online session will be led by artist and arts for wellbeing facilitator, Alison Waters and is suitable for anyone who wants to try different drawing techniques and relax through art making. The free session is open to all and participants will need a pen and paper.
Photography for Wellbeing Walk 09/10/25 10.30am – 12.30pm, Arc
Photography is a great way to take notice, connect and feel better. Whether you’re a budding photographer or have never tried photography before, join this free walk around Stockport’s Viaduct Park to experience the wellbeing benefits of photography and connecting with nature. The group will be guided to focus on prompts and walk, talk and capture surroundings in the heart of Stockport. The Arc team will be on hand to assist with taking images and discuss ideas and techniques. The hour-long walk will end at Arc’s cafe where the group will share images and discuss the creative experience.
Explore and Draw at Hat Works 09/10/25 – 1- 4pm
Explore the historic Hat Works building and see it in a new light. Participants will get creative and have fun with playful drawing exercises and techniques. Using the beautiful building as inspiration, Arc’s team of artists will help participants draw from different viewpoints on all three floors of the Hat Works Museum including the café, gallery and machine floor. This is a free drop-in session and materials are provided.
Creative Ageing Workshop and Q&A at Arc, 09/10/25 6.45 – 8.15pm
This workshop is about working with older people in a creative way. The session will be led by Jenny Harris, a local artist of touring exhibition Our Long Goodbye, which explores one mother and daughter’s journey with Alzheimer’s. Jenny will talk about her creative process and about her wider work with older people, followed by a talk and Q and A with the artist and team, and tour of the exhibition. This free event will enable people to connect with other creatives, expand networks and find inspiration.
Art Social at Arc (Hat Works), 10/10/25, 11-1pm
A casual session aimed at people who enjoy being creative and in the company of others. Participants are encouraged to bring art projects or sketchbooks along to Arc’s creative table space and join other like-minded people. The free event will be hosted by Arc’s creative volunteers in the Hat Works cafe, where everyone is welcome to create and connect.
Meet, Chat, Write at Arc 11/10/25, 11am – 1pm
This is a gentle writing workshop which offers the chance to respond to creative writing prompts, exploring who and what we love in life. The session will be led by Jenny Harris and Lowri Evans, artists of touring exhibition Our Long Goodbye, which explores one mother and daughter’s journey with Alzheimer’s. The session is useful for everyone, including people who are caring for and knowing someone with dementia. There will be a range of fun activities plus time to reflect and write in a relaxed setting.
Drop-in family activity – Happy Hats at Arc 11/10/25, 11am-2pm
Families with children aged 5+ can make a happy hat as part of Stockport’s Carnival of Art parade. Join Arc’s team of artists and volunteers to decorate headgear created at the workshop and then join the parade (optional), which leaves Stockroom at 2pm to travel through Viaduct Park to Stockport’s War Memorial Art Gallery. This free event brings together Stockport Arts and Health Week, with Stockport Council’s ‘Carnival of Arts and the War memorial art gallery centenary celebrations, all on the same day! For accompanied children aged 5+
To find out more information or to book places on free events, please visit www.artsandhealthweek.co.uk and keep up with social media using the dedicated hashtag #ArtsAndHealthWeek2025 across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
