DLL continues to support volunteers from community groups in the ACW Night Out scheme, with 21 Night Out events taking place across Denbighshire over the last year.

As part of this popular community programme, 1419 people have attended a local performance across the 21 events, with over half of these performances being delivered in Welsh.

The ACW Night Out scheme supports volunteers from community groups who want to bring live arts into their local venues. Community groups can choose from a huge range of great professional performers and put them on in local spaces and other non-traditional venues across the country. Performances cover many art forms from theatre and circus to puppetry, music of all kinds, dance and storytelling.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “‘Our Community’ is one of the pillars of DLL, and our Active Communities team work hard at promoting participation in activities which improve both physical and mental wellbeing.  It is well recognised that access to the arts, in all forms, can have a hugely positive effect on people’s wellbeing, whether this relates to personal happiness or developing social interactions. We have been delighted with the popularity of the ACW Night Out scheme, and its reach across Denbighshire communities.”

The most active promoters are Theatr Twm o’r Nant and Menter Iaith Dinbych and we have supported diverse acts such as renowned harpist Elinor Bennett who performed at Denbigh and well-known singer Bryn Fon who sang at Caffi Llanbenwch. The scheme has also supported Llangollen Storytelling café as well as the Ruthin Artisan Market who have been able to offer a range of high-quality live performance for their local community.

“Evidence suggests that engagement with the arts can improve a person’s physical and mental well-being. The benefits of arts activities are being seen beyond traditional settings, and their role in supporting communities and individuals who would otherwise be excluded is increasingly being recognised.’’  The Welsh NHS Confederation report on Arts, Health and Well-being – May 2018