Features / Wellbeing
The importance of creativity and wellbeing during lockdown
A collaboration between a father and son is fast becoming known as Bristol’s answer to Joe Wicks’ PE sessions – but with added dance moves.
Alain Hernandez’s eight-year-old son, Angelito, has an underlying health condition that means he has to be shielded and stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic so the pair have devised online classes that the whole family can take part in at their home in St Anne’s.
Their story is just one example of how individuals and organisations across the city have stepped up in response to the crisis to find new ways to keep people inspired and entertained, but also to support health and wellbeing.
is needed now More than ever
During national Creativity and Wellbeing Week, Bristol City Council’s arts development team is connecting with artists and organisations to help put Bristol on the map as a city that is ahead of the game in bringing culture and creativity to the fore. Bristol24/7 will be sharing highlights throughout the week.
“We believe access to culture and creativity is important for all Bristolians. Creativity and Wellbeing Week is a great opportunity to shine a light nationally on the informed and creative work they are doing,” explains Lerato Dunn, an arts development officer.
https://www.facebook.com/alain.hernandez.391/videos/10156680509252493/
For Alain, a qualified fitness instructor, the need to diversify his business also proved to be an opportunity to do something special with his son. Now, alongside delivering adult classes on-line, he has developed CUBAtone-nitos, a dance and fitness class for children and their families.
Alain explains: “Angelito has sickle beta thalassemia so has to be shielded and stay indoors. Angelito decided he wanted to do something with me, so together, we have been creating the classes. Angelito comes up with the dance moves and I add the fitness element.”
The family classes take place every Monday morning at 9.30am.
Alain and Angelito have devised unique dance fitness classes for families – photo courtesy of CUBAtone
Some more highlights throughout the week include:
Connection Unstable on Tuesday, May 18.
Over the past seven weeks of lockdown, mental health and performance charity Many Minds has been devising a performance about experiences of lockdown for Mental Health Awareness Week.
The team at Knowle West Media Centre’s: The Factory have created a series of worksheets to help people get started on crafty projects, with free 2D design programme InkScape and free videos to guide people through simple sewing projects. Find out more via www.kwmc.org.uk/projects/virtualfactory/.
The team at Knowle West Media Centre: The Factory have created a series of worksheets for people to create their own items – photo courtesy of Knowle West Media Centre
Look Again is offering a free seven-day taster Re-frame Your Now Mindful Photography Activity Programme. Endorsed by Arts and Health South West, it uses a combination of mindfulness, photography and nature to help you and your household stay calm and connected.
The Network has partnered with local storyteller Polly Tisdall and is seeking residents’ stories for a new podcast celebrating Bristol’s communities during covid-19. The podcast is called Held in Common and seeks to celebrate all that the city’s different communities have in common at this time.
They are looking for short audio clips from residents sharing something unexpectedly positive that they’ve discovered during the virus outbreak.
For more information and details of other things on offer, visit: www.creativityandwellbeing.org.uk/.
Main photo courtesy of CUBAtone
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