Building on the museum’s long running commitment to health and wellbeing, the project will aim to equip participants with creative tools and cultural experiences at The Beaney to improve their mental health.  

Working with The Beaney’s Be Connected Network and with young people from across Canterbury, the project will include workshops with artists and will present an opportunity to make meaningful changes in the museum, by embedding new ideas from young people in the galleries. 

The project will also allow The Beaney to further signpost to mental health support more widely, collaborate with local charities and health care providers and advocate for the important role museums and heritage can play in supporting mental health and wellbeing in communities.  

Since starting the project The Beaney has: 

• worked with local students from the SEND community to co- design a new display in the People and Places Gallery. 

•  Co-designed a new family wellbeing mascot with local Year 12 students. 

The Beaney will also be hosting FeelGood Fest in November 2026, and May 2027 where young people can take part in various creative activities for free, as well as meeting local organisations who can support wellbeing. 

Please see What’s On for details.  

The Health and Wellbeing in Museums Fund from the Museums Association is a programme of grant-making, networking and learning dissemination, funded by the Julia Rausing Trust. Grants will enable the development and continuation of groundbreaking health and wellbeing programmes in UK museums during a time of financial crisis and increasing demand for services.