Green Arts Partnership 2025 - 2026

About our project:

The Green Arts Project is a creative wellbeing partnership between Breakdown Bolton CIC, The Wild & Fruity Community Garden and The Woodland Trust Smithills Estate kindly funded by Bolton’s Fund Partnership Grants. The project ran between 2025- 2026.

Designed for people with lived experience of poor mental health, the project combines creativity, nature and community to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and encourage personal growth through artistic expression and nature.

Over the course of the programme, participants have taken part in a wide range of creative writing and mixed media art workshops inspired by the natural world. alongside practical sessions in collage, natural dyeing, willow weaving, printmaking, watercolour, shadow drawing, textile art, ceramics and sculpture.

Participants have also enjoyed outdoor learning experiences through visits to RHS Garden Bridgewater and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where nature, landscape and public art provided inspiration for creative writing, photography and artistic development.

Throughout the project, participants have developed new creative skills, built confidence, formed supportive friendships and strengthened their connection with nature. The programme has culminated in this Summer Celebration and the publication of a green arts calendar, showcasing artwork, poetry and creative achievements while celebrating the positive impact that creativity and green spaces can have on mental health and wellbeing.

The Green Arts Project demonstrates how bringing together art, nature and community can create meaningful opportunities for recovery, self-expression and lasting social connection.

We hope that this partnership will continue long-term and we plan to launch into Green Arts Enterprise going forward to make the most of our open spaces, new connections and our lovely dye garden.

Thank you for reading about our project and we hope you enjoy a sample of the work that has been created throughout the project.

If you would like to purchase any Green Arts Merch or pre order the 2027 Green Arts Calendar, Please visit our stigmatees shop.