As part of the our celebrations at the Urdd, Cardiff and Vale UHB partnered with the Makers Guild Wales on a cross-site arts project, “Get Well Soon”.
The project celebrated Welsh culture and language, Health & Wellbeing and enabled younger people to connect with some of the more vulnerable people in our communities and to support them.
Young people were invited to take part in free creative art workshops held daily throughout the Eisteddfod at the Makers Guild Wales gallery, Craft in the Bay. The workshops were conducted in the Welsh language and participants had the opportunity to learn new artistic skills; to discuss ideas around identity and belonging; and the Welsh icon of caring – the NHS.
Those attending Get Well Soon created unique message cards and artworks, creating emblems and symbols of caring, a strong part of Welsh identity. The artworks will be given to older patients in hospital as a “Get Well Soon” message from the young.
On Friday 31st May, the workshop facilitated by local artist Haf Weighton was attended by Maria Battle, Chair of Cardiff and Vale UHB, and Julie Morgan AM, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services.
Maria Battle said, “I’d like to thank Haf Weighton, Makers Guild Wales, and all the participants for inviting me to take part in the wonderful craft session. I’d also like to thank the Deputy Minister for joining in with me as we put pen to paper to draw our identities in the outline of our hands. However, our attempts were nothing compared to the amazing talent of the young craftspeople around the table. I’m sure their kind get well messages on nurses’ caps, giant plasters and tapestry will brighten the days of some of the older patients on our wards across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Diolch yn fawr!”