Cape Town: The Arts & Culture Branch of the City of Cape Town completed a series of workshops in a pilot programme focused on supporting vulnerable communities and encouraged the personal growth. The Arts and Culture Wellness Programme aims to improve the well-being through visual and performing arts.
Reportedly, the workshops included a series of activities that consisted of mindfulness, movement and culture to help the participants relax, to express themselves and build confidence.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that the programme was designed specifically for vulnerable communities and the various activities that were addressed as emotional distress that enhanced the self-awareness and promoted community connections.
Furthermore, the participants developed new coping strategies, that explored creative ways to express themselves and build meaningful relationships with peers and facilitators. The programme ran across all the regions and concluded on Monday, April 14, 2025 at the Green Point Urban Park.
Other session stook place at the Helderberg, Tygerberg and False Bay Nature Reserves. Here the programme activities included yoga and mindfulness exercises, drumming and sound healing sessions, nature art and clay sculpting, a walk of remembrance and gratitude art.
Councillor Higham added that the art provides a non-verbal way of expressing emotions that are difficult to articulate such as grief and trauma. It is also a valuable tool in processing the experiences, reducing anxiety and building self-esteem. The value of the programme goes beyond the sessions, as she is confident that the participants are richer for it.
Notably, the participants included the individuals that impacted by gender-based violence, senior citizens, youth, people sleeping rough on the street and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The pilot programme will be assessed and will further provide opportunities to join the initiative in future that will be communicated well.