Arts, Health and Wellbeing

Based at the Paulsgrove and Wymering Healthy Living Centre, Dot to Dot works closely with Health professionals to develop a sense of community ownership and adds to the welcoming nature of the building.

Health and wellbeing inform all of Dot to Dot’s work, and the company is signed up to Portsmouth City Council’s Health Improvement and Development Service’s (HIDS) Healthy Eating Agreement and the national campaign Change 4 Life. Dot to Dot has contributed to a number of successful City Council national funding bids, and is happy to develop creative and innovative ideas with health professionals and other partners to promote all aspects of healthy living. Dot to Dot has contributed art work made with community participants to a number of the local PCT’s buildings, often made with the users and staff.

“I think the banners look absolutely fantastic […] very original,
and the colours provide a unique atmosphere.”
Health professional at opening of Children’s Health Centre 2006.

Of course not all health and wellbeing work takes place in Health venues, and Dot to Dot works with a range of other partners to create exciting arts-based contribution to health and wellbeing.

HIDS researched into school dinners and found that the atmosphere meals were eaten in was a disincentive to eating a healthy lunch. Together with Dot to Dot artists a project to design 30 new tabletops and 10 wall graphics for a senior school dining room was devised.

“I think they [graphics and tabletops] have a positive and demonstratable impact on the physical environment and also
increased the awareness and appreciation of food options
that are available to pupils.”
School bursar, St. Lukes - Edible Images 2006.

Similar projects will take place in 7 primary schools between 2009 and 2011.

“They’re fantastic, I didn’t think they’d look so professional!”
St Lukes School student participant - Edible Images 2006.

Working with Health visitors, Dot to Dot artists helped to devise activities to encourage parents to attend and then return to an innovative weaning group 'Baby Lunch Cafe' promoting the use of real food such as pureed fruit and veg as babies’ first solids. Photographs, casting babies’ hands and other crafts have all played their part in a scheme which is attracting regional notices.

“I never thought that weaning and art could go together, so, when the parents used fruit for mug designs, and the babies tasted the fruit as an introduction to solid food ... what fun!”
Health Visitor - Baby Lunch Cafe 2007.