Wellbeing in Wandsworth

Presenter : Rita Ray Rita visits a number of Creative Health and Wellbeing projects in the borough, a key focus of Wandsworth’s London Borough of Culture year. Sensory theatremaker, Arti Prahsar, talks about her work and the way music is part of her practice, with excerpts from her contribution to the Culture Box archive, a sensory resource for use at home, produced by the London Health and Arts research project. Interviews, music and poetry from staff and members of unique music and art centre, Sound Minds, who work with people with lived experience of mental health problems.  South Korean virtuoso musician Hyelim Kim tells us the origin story of the traditional Daegeum flute, her research highlighting its role as an instrument bringing healing and peace, followed by an excerpt of her playing. Hear from internationally celebrated young people’s theatre company, Oily Cart, Tooting based pioneers of Sensory Theatre, with contributions from Artistic Director Ellie Griffiths talking about their interactive sensory productions and how music is a totally essential element to enhance and communicate the experience for neurodivergent audiences. Featuring performances from neurodiverse creator/musicians Kyllah Dyer on cello  (The World Beneath Us 2024), Lucy Bowen on guitar (InsideWays (2025)) and by Maya Youssef on qanun & cast (The Bounce 2014). Choir Leader, Cecelia Wickham Anderson and members of the Community Gospel Choir at Saint Michael’s Wandsworth Common talk about the transformative experiences that the choir and the music have given them and the community and share a live performance. Podcast Music Playlist Paul Johnson - Arti Prashar’s Culture Box…. Prelude Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai (Qawwali) - Bharat Bhushan & Madhubala (from the movie Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)) Sound Minds Community - Jam (2025) Gbenga Ojukotola (from Sound Minds’ Canerows project) – Byrds (2025) Ije Amaechi’s Intimate Friends - Take Me Away (2025) Sound Minds Canerows Project - Eden by Kae Tempest performed by Mia Morris OBE) Hyelim Kim - Daegum (Korean traditional instrument) accompaniments Oily Cart – Rolling (2014) Original Cast Recording from The Bounce. Vocals: Rachel Bird, Griff Fender, Mark Foster, Ellie Griffiths, Tom Jones Oily Cart – Welcome (2014) Original Cast Recording from The Bounce. Vocals: Rachel Bird, Griff Fender, Mark Foster, Ellie Griffiths, Tom Jones Kanun and Bendir, Maya Youssef Oily Cart - Grön Låda (2025) from InsideWays (2025) - Sound design: Bernt Karsten Sannerud; Lead guitar Lucy Bowen. Backing vocals: the Demelza Children's Hospice Families Choir Oily Cart – Prelude from When The World Turns (2022-2025) Cello: Kyllah Dyer St Michael’s Church Community Gospel Choir - Worthy (Praise Him) (live at St Michael's Wandsworth Common 2025)