Films

We create films and animations with our project participants in many of our projects and we also film some of our work as part of our evaluation process.

This short animated film was made by our animation group who met for weekly sessions in Spring 2026 at our Breathe Creative allotments and arts space at Leckwith Drove in Cardiff, with participants from Ty Canna, Velindre, and volunteers from the allotment community. This project was funded by The Welsh Government and also supported by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Creative sessions included informal discussions about Wales, Welsh identity, and the Welsh language. Participants were invited to share and talk about their favourite Welsh words or saying and each person chose one word or phrase that was meaningful to them and used it as the inspiration for their animation. Over the following weeks participants learnt the basics of drawing and stop-motion animation, and with support, developed their ideas visually and animated their chosen word or saying. This process allowed participants to experiment creatively while learning new skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.
The Animation Group provided a creative and supportive space where participants could explore Welsh language and culture while learning new artistic skills. Working outdoors in the allotment environment helped create a relaxed atmosphere that encouraged creativity, connection, and wellbeing. The final animation celebrates the participants’ chosen Welsh words and sayings and reflects the shared experience of the group.
Participants reflected on both the creative process and the experience of working in the allotment environment:
“As I walk from the car park to the allotment I start breathing deeper. A weight lifts off my shoulders.”
“Arts venues can be intimidating. Here there is a sense of freedom. I can be creative.”
“The experience in the allotment is grounding. It reaches all your senses.”

Mwynhewch Y Pethau Bychain - Enjoy the Little Things

Bearing Behçet’s

A powerful new animated film created by young people living with Behçet’s Syndrome.

We are proud to launch Bearing Behçet’s on Rare Disease Day, Saturday 28 February 2026.

Bearing Behçet’s is a moving animated film created by young people living with Behçet’s Syndrome alongside their families. Through creativity and collaboration, the film shares lived experiences of navigating a rare, lifelong condition, giving voice to young people who are too often unheard.

Behçet’s Syndrome, also known as Behçet’s Disease or Behçet’s, is a chronic condition caused by disturbances in the body’s immune system. As a rare disease, it can take years to diagnose and presents unique challenges in healthcare, education and everyday life.

Rare Disease Day exists to improve access to treatment, care and medical representation for individuals with rare conditions and their families. This year’s theme is Equity.

“Equity is ensuring that no young person feels invisible, and that their needs are recognised across healthcare, education, and everyday life.” (Rachael Humphreys, Behçet’s UK)

The film was developed through creative workshops led by Breathe Creative animation worker Jane Hubbard and therapeutic arts facilitator Katja Stiller with support from Rachael Humphreys, Behçet’s UK. The project was funded by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and Behçet’s UK and was supported by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Bearing Behçet’s is more than a film. It is a call for visibility, understanding and equity for young people living with this rare disease.

On Rare Disease Day 2026, we invite you to watch, share and stand in solidarity with families affected by Behçet’s.

#RareDiseaseDay #Equity #Behcets #YoungVoices #CommunityArts

www.behcetsuk.org

https://geneticalliance.org.uk/campaigns-and-research/rare-disease-uk/

Bearing Behçet’s

Four young adults talk openly and honestly about their difficulties of living with Type 1 Diabetes. They discuss how this affected their relationship with diabetes, their mental health and the disordered eating behaviours that went undiagnosed. They discuss their hopes for service development in Wales and what support people with T1DE may need. If you, or anyone you know, may be affected by any of the issues raised in this film and need support, please contact your local Diabetes team for advice.

A group of young adults share their experience of living with Type 1 Diabetes and disordered eating through a series of short, home made films. If you, or someone you know, needs support please contact your local Diabetes team.

This short animation introduces many of the difficulties that can arise when you live with Type 1 Diabetes, including disordered eating. If you, or someone you know, needs support please contact your local Diabetes team.

Facts about T1DE

For Mental Health Awareness Week in May 2025, our partners Cardiff and Vale Mental Health Forum (cavamh) brought its members together to celebrate their work and to share their experiences.

Mental Health Awareness Week is organised nationally by the Mental Health Foundation. We made this short film to hear what our partners in Cardiff and Vale Mental Health Forum thought about the power and importance of safe, positive communities and social connections for our mental health and wellbeing.

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek celebrates community, together for good mental health. We all need community - what's yours? #ThisIsMyCommunity

Mental Health and Wellbeing - the power of Community

As part of The Art Garden / Yr Ardd Gelf programme, funded by The Arts Council of Wales and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, we have been working in partnership with The Wyndham Street Centre in Cardiﬀ this summer. The Art Garden / Yr Ardd Gelf project builds upon the seeds of our Creativity and Nature for Wellbeing projects which we have been developing over many years with partners in Health, Social Care and the Third Sector in Cardiﬀ and The Vale of Glamorgan.

Artist Anna Amalia Coviello facilitated creative ‘Nourishing Riverside’ sessions in June and July, working with with local children, young people, volunteers and visitors of the Wyndham Street Centre to design a colourful mural for the outside wall of the Centre. The project was supported by Grant Cockerill from The Wyndham Street Centre, and Katja Stiller, our Therapeutic Art Facilitator, who also created a short film of the project.

The aim of this project was to reflect on the outside what is happening inside the centre. Participants chose the theme of fruit and vegetables because their food bank and community

Nourishing Riverside 2025

This animation was made by participants in our New Leaf project which was which focussed on increasing connection for participants with the natural environment. The project was funded by The Arts Council of Wales

'New Leaf' Animation

The music group, facilitated by Mike Fulthorpe from Breathe Creative started in August 2023. The idea of the sessions was to simply create a warm therapeutic space for people to be able to share their thoughts and feelings safely in a supportive environment. Music would always be central, a tool to allow collaborative communication, build connections and to provide an alternative way to express emotions rather than simply talking.

The sessions have developed and have brought people together, creating friendships and musical bonds. We wrote our own song and experienced going into a recording studio alongside shooting a video with our videographer/editor, Katja Stiller. Opportunities later arose to do performances, and the group members have seemed to revel in the feeling of being in a band rehearsing for gigs.

Our first gig, with a totally different line-up (except for Max who’s been with us from the very beginning) played in the 96 bar in Barry, the CVMHT football awards ceremony. It was well supported and was a nerve wracking but very successful first ever concert. Photos and articles about the group emerged in 3 local newspapers including the South Wales Echo and the group received really positive feedback from friends, family, staff and journalists.

After a break, the music group re-started with some new members who very quickly gelled with each other. This brought a new dynamic and inspired new musical influences and talents. There has been some lovely feedback from group members about how important the sessions are to them. Once again we have explored discussion, songwriting, improvising, jamming songs and again new opportunities have emerged. Max has performed at the Cardiff City stadium and through meeting somebody at that event has since recorded his own songs and is gaining studio experience. He has also started working as a volunteer doing music with patients at Barry hospital where he is already a much loved member of the group.

Rhys has started guitar lessons and also started a computer/media course with new doors opening up as his confidence grows. The other participants are consistently attending the group every week, bringing their incredible musical talents and warm personalities to boost the positive energy of the group.

The gig opportunities at Jenner Park and at SWALEC stadium are something that is very new and nerve wracking for the group. However, we are also really excited at the opportunity and for the exposure the band will receive. We hope that people enjoy the performances of “Hope4change” and appreciate how far the members have all come in their personal journeys to reach this point.

Future funding and a long term approach is fundamental in projects such as this. It is proven that continued support can lead to new opportunities for members further down the road. The hope is for the cycle of support to continue, helping as many people as possible along the way. For this to happen, funding is paramount.

Project supported by Vale of Glamorgan Mental Health Support Team with funding from Vale of Glamorgan Council, The Arts Council of Wales and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Our Hope4Change Music Project