Following the overwhelming success of last year's pilot project, The Wellbeing Studio is returning this autumn with more professional artists, new partners, and a further ambition for creative healthcare.

Designed as a preventive creative programme, The Wellbeing Studio supports the mental health of young adults aged 18–30 through artistic expression and community connection. The project directly addresses growing challenges around social anxiety, loneliness, and low self-confidence among young people, offering an accessible, non-clinical alternative to traditional health interventions.

The scheme is a partnership between Cyngor Gwynedd’s Community Arts unit and Frân Wen.

Building on last year's foundation, the next stage The Wellbeing Studio will receive support from an extended network from a Bodnant Surgery, Bangor University Wellbeing & Inclusivity Service, North Wales Medical School, Mantell Gwynedd, Hwb Dinas Bangor to Coleg Llandrillo Menai. By bridging the gap between the arts and healthcare, the project looks at the concept of 'arts on prescription’ by providing creative activities to improve mental wellbeing.

The artists taking part in this year’s Wellbeing Studio are Casi Wyn, poet and singer; Leo Drayton, playwright; Mirain Fflur, actor and multidisciplinary artist; Mari Gwent, multimedia artist; Eli Williams, movement and visual artist; and Robin Edwards, sound artist, musician, and music producer.

Councillor Medwyn Hughes, Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet Member for the Economy and Community Department, said:

“Cyngor Gwynedd is proud to support The Wellbeing Studio as an innovative project to support the community mental health of our young adults through the arts.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue collaborating with health and arts partners to build on what was achieved last year. Once again, this project demonstrates the invaluable worth of the arts in supporting the well-being of Gwynedd’s young adults.”

Said Elgan Rhys from Frân Wen:

“Seeing the profound impact that creative expression had on young adult’s wellbeing showed us just how vital non-clinical support can be.

“This next step isn’t just about growing the programme. It’s about making arts on prescription a lasting part of the healthcare landscape and developing a sustainable, creative approach to supporting young adult’s mental health across North West Wales.”

Proven Impact & Community Support

Participants from last year’s pilot experienced firsthand how non-traditional, community-based artistic interventions can transform personal wellbeing.

Said one participant, who wished to remain anonymous:

"The confidence I gained through The Wellbeing Studio allowed me to be more confident in managing other areas of my life I was struggling with.”

Local medical professionals have also welcomed the return and scaling up of the initiative as an essential social prescribing option.

Dr Nia Hughes, Medical Director for Primary Care (West) at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said:

“It is wonderful to be able to offer the wellness studio as a community resource for our young patients, to promote well-being and support individuals' mental health through social prescribing.”

Programme Overview & Schedule

Rooted at Nyth in Bangor, The Wellbeing Studio combines weekly drop-in creative sessions led by experienced professional artists with intensive weekend residential experiences.

All sessions are self-referral. Anyone aged 18 - 30 who is interested can complete a brief online form to attend the full series or drop into individual sessions as needed.

Weekly Drop-in Sessions:

Held on Wednesdays from 4pm - 6pm. Each two-hour session guides participants through hands-on creative work in a supportive environment.

• Autumn Drop-ins: 7 October 2026 - 25 November 2026

• Spring Drop-ins: 20 January 2027 - 10 March 2027

• Summer Drop-ins: 7 April 2027 - 26 May 2027

Weekend Sessions:

Two-day immersive events led by three professional artists, featuring a varied creative schedule with built-in breaks and quiet space for downtime.

• Weekend 1: 5 December 2026 - 6 December 2026

• Weekend 2: 20 March 2027 - 21 March 2027

• Weekend 3: 5 June 2027 - 6 June 2027

Getting Involved

The long-term ambition for The Wellbeing Studio is to establish a sustainable, scalable model that transforms how youth mental health is supported across Wales.

For anyone who would like to visit Nyth prior to attending a session, please reach out to the Frân Wen team directly.