The recently launched Springbank Pavilion – centrally located in Newcastle’s Leazes Park – will host creative workshops onsite, alongside delivery of a programme of in-hospital creative activities.
This exciting 6-month pilot project from Urban Green Newcastle and Newcastle Hospitals Charity is designed to bring nature and the joy of creating to those who may have barriers to accessing arts activities. Whilst particularly aimed at those connected with Newcastle Hospitals, the public are encouraged to take part in the programme and book a space on the workshops.
The programme of events includes on-site workshops from local art organisations, including Chilli Studios, Curious Arts, Gem Arts, and the Friends of Leazes Park, as well as a booklet of activities that can be completed from a hospital bed if visiting the pavilion is not possible. These include immersive nature walk experiences delivered through headphones, mindful abstract drawing, and creative writing, all devised by local artists: Sofia Barton, David de la Haye, Lady Kitt and Sheree Angela Matthews.
Nikolas Barrera, Cultural Programme Manager at Urban Green Newcastle who look after Newcastle’s 33 parks – said:
“Urban Green are working with residents and local communities to develop an exciting cultural programme across Newcastle’s green spaces, focussed on connecting with nature, encouraging creativity and play and improving wellbeing through activities, events, workshops and commissions.
As we approach the 150th anniversary of this beautiful city park in 2023, what better way to respond to and explore the future needs of these vital green spaces than partnering with our hospital neighbours and wider partners in providing a creative and accessible resource for everyone in our community.”
Katie Hickman, Arts Programme Manager at Newcastle Hospitals Charity added:
“It’s an established fact that connecting with nature and green spaces can improve both physical and mental health, and with such a fantastic park so close to our hospitals, we could immediately see the benefit of this partnership with Urban Green.
“Newcastle Hospitals Charity is dedicated to helping reduced health inequalities in the region, so providing access to a welcoming, inclusive arts space in the community give attendees a space to make friends, try something new and hopefully feel the positive impact of this on their mental health.”
The initiative wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the LGA Foundation who funded a full refurbishment of the old pavilion building to transform it into a welcoming creative space, ready to host our exciting programme of nature-inspired sessions.
LGA Foundation have been working closely with Urban Green Newcastle on a number of projects across the parks they manage and are thrilled to be supporting Springbank Pavilion. Their Chair, Sue Reece, said:
“It is wonderful to hear that the newly refurbished building is already being utilised for such an exciting programme. Our parks are so important to our local communities, we hope to see many more groups using the Springbank Pavilion going forward. Looking after our green spaces and the buildings within our parks is vital to ensuring community groups and programmes like this can reach as many people as possible.”
The programme has also received funding from the Community Foundation, who have covered a significant amount of the core and project costs required to get these events up and running and fill the newly refurbished building with a variety of workshops and activities that everyone can enjoy.
Green Recovery Challenge Fund have also supported the project with funding towards improvements in former bowling green area outside the pavilion. This is the first stage of plans for longer term development of this well used space in consultation with the local community and our partners.
To book a space on one of the workshops at Springbank Pavilion, click below:
Book nowThis partnership is part of the Newcastle Hospitals Arts Programme, which is funded by Newcastle Hospitals Charity.
