At William Morris Gallery, we believe that engaging with art and nature plays a vital role in supporting health and wellbeing. We collaborate with healthcare professionals, community partners, and local residents to develop projects that help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Flow State Sessions
Flow State Sessions aim to create a gentle space for creativity – where no experience in art is necessary. ‘Flow’ is the mental state in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energised focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity rather than just the outcome.
Research has shown that Flow State can be a useful coping skill for stress and anxiety. Our programme is run by art therapists, with the aim of creating a calm, accessible and supportive space, where participants feel at ease to learn new skills and inspired to nurture their creativity.
These workshops are designed to support those with low to moderate mental health needs such as mild anxiety or low mood. They are also suitable for those feeling isolated, stressed or overwhelmed due to having an ongoing health condition or being a carer, for example.
To sign up, you must be registered or on the waiting list for the NHS Social Prescribing or Talking Therapies service, already accessing community mental health support groups or have attended one of our outreach sessions at Whipps Cross Hospital.

Young Carers Sessions
The William Morris Gallery Learning Team has worked in partnership with London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Young Carers Programme since the summer of 2024.
Initially working together on a programme responding to the Mingei: Art Without Heroes exhibition, the relationship was extended to an ongoing quarterly programme of creative workshops devised by local artist Antonietta Torsiello, delivering sessions for junior young carers (6-11yrs).

Community Tours
William Morris Gallery offers free introductory community welcome tours to registered charities, social enterprises and constituted charitable groups in Waltham Forest and neighbouring boroughs.
You’ll be introduced to the life and legacy of William Morris, see key objects from the collection and learn about the history of the Gallery. The Gallery also organises community tours for each of its special exhibitions.

Partnerships & Collaborations
To support as many residents and communities as possible, a significant amount of William Morris Gallery’s work includes fostering partnerships and collaborations with local community organisations, health centres and outdoor spaces.
As part of our Flow State Sessions, we run an outreach programme with Vital Arts at Whipps Cross Hospital. After attending a session in the hospital, patients are eligible to take part in our in-gallery guided and open studio sessions.
We also frequently partner with local organisations to produce various workshops, talks and events. These include our Open Nights event with Amnesty International, Creative Health Late with CREST Waltham Forest and Soundcastle, Nightwalk with misery at The Hive, Epping Forest and workshop on Supporting and Caring for Your Body After Birth with Community Apothecary.
If you would like to get in touch about participation or collaboration with the Gallery on a Creative Health & Wellbeing project, please email: ADD AN EMAIL???