Art for heart’s sake

We know creativity is a tonic in troubled times so, during lockdown, the Southbank Centre in London prescribed a course of arts to ease loneliness.

Art by Post sent monthly poetry and visual arts activity booklets to 4,500 people, many of whom were shielding and isolated. The free scheme is part of the growing social prescribing movement that champions community activities to improve health and wellbeing.

An exhibition of 600 pieces created by participants – aged 18 to 103 – will open at the centre on 20 September before touring the UK for five months, giving a unique snapshot of life during the pandemic.

For more, see southbank centre.co.uk/artbypost