Museums Online - a perfect route to wellbeing

During these challenging times, East Riding Museums are reminding people that online museums can be a route to wellbeing.

Museums are featured extensively on the new Active East Riding website, www.ActiveEastRiding.co.uk  Although they are all currently closed, it is still important to connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, and give something back to the community – these are the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’, developed by the New Economics Foundation and MIND.

Visitors to the ‘East Riding Museums – Ways to Wellbeing’ section of Active East Riding will be able to access all five Ways to Wellbeing:

‘Connect’:  the site shows Fred Elwell’s painting from 1936, ‘The Birthday Party’, from happier times, reminding visitors of the need to connect with others either on the phone or by other technology.

‘Be Active’: the site shows three ladies on the archery range at Sewerby Hall and Gardens just after World War Two, with the message about the importance of keeping physically active, perhaps with online fitness classes, or daily walks or cycle rides.

‘Take Notice’: illustrated on the site by aerial pictures of Beverley from around the 1950s, including Beverley Barracks (now the site of Morrisons); the railway crossing and signalbox on Norwood; and Saturday Market with its central area for buses. The message is to take notice of things around, such as nature, and to focus on positive activities.

‘Learn’: the site features Elizabeth Lambert of Beverley (1790 – 1851) who painted watercolours to celebrate the natural world, which are included in the collection in the Treasure House. She also played the piano at St Mary’s Church in Beverley. The message is to practice something ‘arty’ now, and consider entering the next Open Art exhibition.

‘Give’: illustrated on the site by beautiful cards from Victorian and Edwardian times, made of many different materials. The message is to send cards or a letter during these times when it is not possible to meet people.

Councillor Shaun Horton, portfolio holder for tourism, culture and leisure, said: “I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to maintain our wellbeing during challenging times like these. Active East Riding offers great routes to wellbeing and also reminds people of the amazing breadth and depth of our museum collections.”

Visit www.ActiveEastRiding.co.uk and follow the link to ‘East Riding Museums – Ways to Wellbeing’.

For more information on staying well, visit www.heymind.org.uk/staywell or call their 24/7 Information Line on 01482 240 133.