The Active Creative Project is focused on merging both physical activity with creative activity for improving mental health and wellbeing.

As a co-design project, Active Creative seeks to work with individuals and groups, listening and shaping a project that is responsive to community needs. The project is part of the North East Culture Collective Network, partnering with Live Life Aberdeenshire and us, the Vinery (Aberdeen Foyer).

During June 2023 to December 2023, creative practitioner Stephanie Whitelaw, has met with members of the community both individually and collectively, holding consultations and creative walking sessions to gather stories, ideas and responses. During this time period, our one-to-one ’Wander’ sessions have been popular. Receiving referrals from Penumbra, Airlie Gardens, Deveron Sports centre and NHS Grampian, Stephanie met with members of the community to take short walks, within and out-with households and to varying locations including the Vinery garden grounds, Macduff Aquarium, Banff Links and Duff House Woods. Activities enjoyed while walking have included bird watching, tree identifying and creative drawing. The project aims to open up the various ways we can activate our own creativity through walking and engaging with our local places.

We are now in the final stages of the project, with three main strands.

1) Building a one to one walking service called ‘Wander Buddies’ which will provide members of the community with a ‘Wander Buddy’ to walk with in their locality.

2) A series of commissioned benches will be installed at the beginning of 2024, in varying locations in Banff and Macduff. The benches will provide rest points along popular routes as well as opening up access to community sites and green spaces.

3) Creating a Wander map which will locate the benches and connect with accessible walking routes in Banff and Macduff.