The Hamilton-based Arts For Health Community Trust found an unexpected silver lining during the Covid-19 lockdown. When it began hosting weekly "Zui" (Zoom meetings) for its artists, programme manager Cass Hendry noticed participants quickly stopped talking to staff and started talking to one another instead.

"Everything we do is about relationship building so we really liked the fact that once they’d said ‘hi’ to us they just wanted to talk to each other. One of our greatest strengths is that we help people connect, firstly with each other, with like-minded people, and then going out and starting to connect with the wider community.”

Alongside the online gatherings, Arts For Health delivered 100 art packs filled with creative materials to participants across the Waikato, helping people continue making art while isolated at home. That commitment to creating accessible opportunities for people to connect through creativity was recognised at Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards 2020, where Arts For Health received the Arts Access Holdsworth Creative Space Award.

The judging panel described Arts For Health as:

"An outstanding grassroots creative space, run largely by committed volunteers, and has had a huge impact over 30 years. The breadth of its reach and artforms is impressive as it touches the lives of people in its communities: students, hospital patients, senior citizens in rest homes – in fact, anyone who wants to use creativity as a means of empowerment and wellbeing."

Founded in 1987, Arts For Health promotes wellbeing through creativity. Its central Hamilton studio operates an open-door policy, welcoming anyone who wants to make art, regardless of experience or circumstance.

"Anyone can come. We don't need to know the reasons why. It's for people who want to be well and maintain their wellness. We have some people who come just because they're lonely and that's fine," say Cass

The organisation also delivers community programmes in schools, rest homes and hospital settings, creating opportunities for people to connect through creative expression. For Cass, the greatest reward is seeing the changes that can happen when people feel welcome and supported.

She recalls one woman who initially sat alone with her head down, quietly drawing with pencil on paper and refusing to be photographed.

"Last week she let us take her photo. She looked straight at the camera, her artwork was lots and lots of different colours, and she was sitting in a big group with everyone else," says Cass. "That was quite an achievement for her."

Supported largely by volunteers and community fundraising, Arts For Health has spent decades demonstrating the power of creativity to build confidence, reduce isolation and strengthen community connections.