Arts & wellbeing
Coming together to improve our health and wellbeing through art
The Arts & wellbeing programme is one of the core strands of the Creative Engagement programme at the Southbank Centre.
We offer year-round projects and events which nourish comfort, connection and creativity in our communities. We’ve a real mix of free projects for you to take part in both in our buildings and from the comfort of your home. Wherever people are in their lives, our projects can have a big impact, whether it’s to boost wellbeing or help in difficult times.
Our work spans both local and national engagement and we’re particularly eager to connect with our Lambeth and Southwark neighbours and to work together with local individuals and organisations.
We’re proud to be the home of the National Academy for Social Prescribing. Together, we want to show how arts and creativity can improve the nation’s health and wellbeing.
What you think of our events and programmes matters to us, and we’d love to hear your ideas.
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Current projects
Skylark Sessions
Our arts-based wellbeing programme for local people aged 50+.
Mix & Move
Come and get your groove on at our free monthly social dances.
Relaxed Hours
Visit our Hayward Gallery exhibitions in a more relaxed environment, and take part in creative workshops.
Grounded Ecotherapy
The green-fingered recovery programme which looks after our roof garden.
FAQs
All our Arts & wellbeing events are free, and materials are provided.
For Relaxed Hours at Hayward Gallery contact our team for more information about our ticket and travel bursary schemes for those with financial barriers to attending.
- Our site is level access and wheelchair accessible. We can also provide wheelchairs during your visit.
- Accessible toilets are available across our site, including high-dependency facilities.
- There is a Changing Places toilet on-site.
- Disabled parking is available upon request.
- BSL interpretation is available upon request.
- We offer translation services for a range of our projects and events.
- Attendees can apply for support with travel.
- Our events have a designated quiet space where you can take time away from the activity.
- Makaton interpretation is available during Relaxed Hours.
- The Arts & wellbeing team is on hand to welcome and support you.
If you have any access requirements, please sign up to our Access Scheme for discounts, wheelchair spaces, dedicated seats and free companion tickets. You can also join our mailing list to get news about accessible events and exhibitions.
If you have any specific access needs or suggestions about how we could better support your time with us, or would like to know more about our access facilities and support, phone us on 020 7960 4206 or email our Arts & wellbeing team.
We encourage independence and agency around participants’ needs. We also appreciate that for some people travel costs, access on public transport or planning journeys can be a barrier to participation.
- Our team is on hand to support you with planning journeys, including reminder calls on the day.
- We can reserve disabled parking spaces on site and cover the congestion charge if needed.
- We have a limited number of travel bursaries for people who live in Lambeth and Southwark and who require a return taxi journey. These are on a case-by-case basis and we can offer support for six events before reviewing.
- We are able to book participants a car using their Taxicard service account details.
- We book taxis using Addison Lee, who charge a high waiting fee five minutes after arrival. To avoid this waiting fee, we ask that those travelling are ready to leave ahead of the confirmed pick-up time.
If you have any further questions about travel support available, phone us on 020 7960 4206 or email our Arts & wellbeing team.
To sign up for our mailing list contact our Arts & wellbeing team directly.
Email the Arts & wellbeing team
Phone: 020 7960 4206
Art by Post: Poems for Our Planet is no longer running, however you can still download activity booklets from the Art by Post pages here on our website.
We’re not currently offering work experience or internships.
However, you can watch for opportunities on the Southbank Centre’s careers page.
Past Project
Art by Post
A free series of creative activities designed to spark the imagination during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Take a look at some of the work produced during the project, find out about its impact, and download Art by Post activity booklets.
Support the Southbank Centre
Did you know the Southbank Centre is a charity? We’re only able to offer free events and programmes thanks to generous donations and the support of our Members. Please consider supporting our work.