08/07/2026
What if communication isn't only about words?
Last weekend, Arts for Health and Wellbeing CIC had the privilege of welcoming families from Hear Me by DSN to our HQ Faraway Follies in Llandegla for a creative wellbeing project called Hands That Speak, Hands That Belong.
Hear Me supports children and families living with hearing loss, helping to build confidence, connection and opportunities for communication.
Together, we designed a family experience that explored communication beyond spoken language through creativity, nature and shared play, with gentle inspiration from British Sign Language (BSL).
For three hours, families were invited to slow down and simply be together.
Children painted freely at outdoor easels, explored clay, wove fresh flowers onto a woodland deer, played with hula hoops, and created alongside wandering chickens, Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep, Daisy the dog, and Holly and Ivy the cats. Families laughed as children called to the sheep across the field, and shared moments of calm through gentle Qigong on the lawn.
Every activity was intentionally designed to remove pressure, encourage participation and create opportunities for connection. There was no expectation to produce the "perfect" piece of art. Instead, the focus was on curiosity, creativity, confidence and belonging.
Together, the families created a collaborative mural inspired by the landscape of Faraway Follies. Hidden within the artwork are the children's own words, expressive marks and colourful symbols, while their individually decorated handprints have become vibrant bunting that will accompany the mural as a celebration of every family who took part.
The artwork will be unveiled at Hear Me's public event at Ty Pawb, Wrexham, later this summer.
For us, the mural is not the outcome.
The outcome is seeing families spend meaningful time together, children discovering confidence through creativity, and communication taking place in ways that reach far beyond words.
At Arts for Health and Wellbeing CIC, we work with charities, schools, community organisations and health partners to design creative experiences that support wellbeing, inclusion and connection. Every project is carefully shaped around the needs of the people taking part, recognising that creativity can be a powerful vehicle for communication, confidence and belonging.
If your organisation is looking for creative ways to support the communities you work with, we'd love to start a conversation.
https://artsforhealthandwellbeingcic.org/
fans Faraway Follies Centre for Integral Health
