During a recent session hosted by the Sutton Parks team, the Young Commissioners were immersed in a creative experience that combined artistic expression with the promotion of mental wellbeing. Dawn from the Sutton parks team introduced the group to the upcoming 'Landscape Artist of the Year' competition, set to unfold across various parks in Sutton throughout July and August. This initiative, aimed at capturing the essence of Sutton's picturesque landscapes, encouraged participants to delve into their artistic sides.
All winning entries from the six competitions will be showcased at an art exhibition in November, where three overall winners will receive £50 art vouchers. This initiative not only promotes creativity but also invites all different people within the community to engage with the local environment. More details about the competition can be found on the Sutton Council website: https://www.sutton.gov.uk/w/parkart
During the session, we had the opportunity to channel our inner artists by creating postcards inspired by local landscapes and parks. Check out some of our work in the image above! These postcards were designed to be given to friends and family, spreading some of the natural beauty that can be found in Sutton. This activity was a perfect example of the '5 Ways to Wellbeing' that we have recently been focusing on, particularly during this stressful exam period. The '5 Ways to Wellbeing' steps include 'Connect', 'Be Active', 'Take Notice', 'Keep Learning', and 'Give'. The session allowed us to learn about the landscape of the year competition, be mindful while crafting our cards whilst connecting with our fellow Young Commissioner’s and giving our creations to loved ones with an invitation inside to go for a mindful walk in nature together, to be active.
Putting the '5 Ways to Wellbeing' into practice, many of us invited friends or family members to join us for walks in the local parks. One of our Young Commissioners shared her experience of inviting her friend Maria for a walk.
Maria expressed that “walking in nature allowed me to clear my head and enjoy the refreshing scenery”.
Being accompanied by a trusted friend made her feel comfortable to discuss her thoughts and feelings, highlighting the real mental health benefits of spending time in nature with supportive people. This experience underscored the importance of connecting with others, staying active, and giving our time and attention, all of which contribute to our overall wellbeing which is so important!
A huge thanks goes out to Dawn and the Sutton Parks Team for giving up their time and sharing their knowledge! We look forward to seeing all the creative entries in the "Landscape Artist of the Year" competition.
If you want to volunteer to help keep your parks beautiful, become a volunteer park friend, a tree warden, or read more here.
