THE first-ever Swindon Wellbeing and Arts Festival launches next month.

A week of big events for children and adults will include interactive sessions of dance, music, arts and crafts, painting, and nature walking for people to enjoy.

Each event has been organised by a local artist to highlight how engaging with art can improve wellbeing,

The festival aims to inspire creativity and create safe, fun and relaxing spaces for people to join and talk about their mental health.

The launch night at Artsite on February 9 from 7pm will feature poetry from the Rusty Goat and music by the Flour Babies.

The Wyvern Theatre, Create Studios, the Swindon Arts Centre, the Olive Tree Cafe, Artsite, IPSUM, Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind, the Richard Jeffries Museum, John Lewis and Gateway Furniture are all supporting the festival.

For more information, visit the festival's facebook page.

Darkroom Espresso are hosting an art exhibition for the week of the festival, beginning on Monday 11 until Saturday 16.