Arts Boost, an award-winning programme designed to reduce feelings of distress and improve mental health through the arts is returning for 2024.

Arts Boost launched in 2022 for children and young people known to the Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (S-CAMHS).

The health board is working with three arts partners, Span Arts in Pembrokeshire, People Speak Up in Carmarthenshire, and Small World Theatre in Ceredigion to deliver an artist-led creative mixed media activity called ‘Creative Freestyling’.

The programme is available to children and young people known to Hywel Dda’s S-CAMHS aged 12-17 years old with mild to moderate mental health difficulties across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Arts Boost is based on the growing body of evidence that shows that the arts have a key role to play in healthcare, especially in improving wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and self-expression and is part of the national Arts and Minds programme, funded by the Baring Foundation and the Arts Council of Wales.

If you or your child is known to S-CAMHS, the Arts Boost programme is available to you. For more information, speak to your current primary mental health clinician or contact Katie O’Shea on 01267 674450.