Curious Minds

Explore the collections brought to you by the Food Museum in Stowmarket through stories with photography, illustration and mixed media.

Curious Minds is arts and heritage programme designed to support wellbeing through creative and mindful activities. Curious Minds offers participants the chance to enjoy exploring a variety of art forms whilst developing creative skills and tools to support mental wellbeing.

Following our highly successful programme in Felixstowe and Woodbridge we are delighted to return to Felixstowe Woodbridge library with professional artists Michelle Brace and Alice-Andrea Ewing. Participants will explore aspects of the collections from the Food Museum in Stowmarket as chosen by Lily and Michelle and curated by Katherine Bridges from the Food Museum. Museum objects will be explored to stimulate stories and conversations and creative skills will be developed in illustration and mixed media. No creative experience is necessary as these workshops are an opportunity to connect, learn, develop new skills and promote overall wellbeing.

Curious Minds is a friendly, accessible and safe space to come and explore creativity with professional artists and discover interesting heritage facts that will inspire your imagination.

“I have never done anything like this before, it’s absolutely fantastic!” Warren, Curious Minds participant Felixstowe

“I’ve loved doing this course, it’s been absolutely life changing for me and given me a new lease of life.” Pat, Curious Minds participant Felixstowe

Curious Minds is a mental health wellbeing project, delivered in partnership with Suffolk Libraries, the Food Museum and the Ipswich and East Suffolk Alliance.
Its purpose is to support the Primary Care Personalised Care Programme and participation is by referral through Ipswich and East Suffolk Primary Care.

This programme supports people aged 18 or over in Ipswich and East Suffolk living with complex health needs. Criteria – currently diagnosed with 2 or more of the following:

• Asthma
• Atrial Fibrillation
• COPD
• Cancer
• Dementia
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Heart Failure
• Hypertension
• Substance misuse
• Learning Disabilities
• Mental Health
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Peripheral Arterial Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease
• Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIA)
• Smoker
• Social determinants

Previously Curious Minds delivered a series of sessions at Ipswich Transport Museum and an artist residency, in which digital artist Michelle Brace and movement artist Sarah Lewis delved into the sensory experiences of journeys both real and imagined. Together, they produced a sound track and resource sheet for participants to embark upon their own personalised trip; visit our DIY section and begin your Imagineering Journey.