The Culture and Wellbeing Community Network Scotland group is a joint venture between the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), Fun Palaces Scotland, Science Ceilidh and the National Lotteries Community Fund.

It is a peer and community network which brings creative groups, libraries, grassroots groups and individuals together. Every week it hosts conversations which are focused on supporting communities and includes peer-led sharing and training as well as accessible resources.

Anyone can join the group and take part - posting questions and discussing the weekly topics.

How it Works

Members of the group can access previous video posts and topics on the group Facebook page using tabs. However, group members can also access previous discussions by clicking on the links below.

You can join the Culture & Wellbeing Community Network Scotland group through Facebook. If you do not have a Facebook account, or would prefer not to use your personal account, Fun Palaces Scotland Ambassador Lewis Hou can help create an account solely for the programme. You can email Lewis for more information on how to join.

If you are already a member of the group, you can also offer feedback on what you think of the topics and discussions by filling in the feedback and mailing list form. There is also an opportunity to suggest future areas of discussion.

 

Click on the individual topics below for more information and links.
Previous Group Discussions

Dismantling Racism across Education and Culture

Lewis Hou from Fun Palaces Scotland is joined by The Anti-Racist Educator Melina to discuss how we can actively acknowledge, educate and dismantle racism across education and culture in Scotland.

How Does Music Affect Our Brain and Wellbeing?

Lewis Hou from Fun Palaces Scotland leads the discussion on how music can help wellbeing and just what happens to our brains when we listen to music.

 

 

Connecting Through Stories

Fun Palaces Ambassador Alis Ballance and Dr Erin Farley from Dundee Libraries join Lewis Hou to discuss storytelling and how we can make space for the often unheard stories.

 

How can food connect communities?

Laura Kerr from North Ayrshire Libraries and Sophie Bridger from Eden Project Communities talk about how food can help pull communities together.

 

 

 

How do we ensure no-one is left behind?
Marianne Scobie from Glasgow Disability Alliance and Lewis lead a discussion on ensuring inclusive practice both during and after the crisis, along with some top tips for accessible working. 
Singing for our mental health

Liesbeth Tip from the University of Edinburgh Harmony Choir and Sophie Boyd from Singing for Breathing, based at the University of Glasgow, lead a discussion on how singing and choirs support mental health for Mental Health Awareness Week. The video features a live warm-up and song.

 

 

How does creativity support health & wellbeing?
Lewis and Katey Warren from the Arts Health Early Career Research Network lead a discussion on the growing research and current studies showing the evidence around creativity's benefits for health and wellbeing.

 

Tackling social isolation in our communities.
Kathleen Milne from Western Isles Libraries and DEEP Network Freelance Coordinator Paula Brown lead a discussion on isolation drawing on experience working with rural communities and people with dementia.
Involving Young People to plan and run activities.
Stuart Mitchel fromn the Auchinleck Community Development Initiative and Catriona McIntyre from Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity lead a discussion on supporting young people to take the lead and developing safe creative packages for young people out of hospital.
How can libraries and other cultural organisations support communities on and offline right now? 
Fun Palaces Scotland Ambassador Lewis Hou and SLIC's Head of Programme Lindsey Henderson lead a discussion on offline and digital approaches to connecting with our communities.