I am currently working on this post but I came to write it
because I find it astonishing how the two things people seem to be turning to during
these uncertain and bizarre times are the two areas that our UK government has
been cutting costs to most- The Arts and The NHS.

We celebrate the NHS with rounds of applause which is all
good to show support but what they really need is the support of their
government in the long term, they needed this money years ago- not to be
included in budget cuts and austerity measures. This situation has proved once
more that nature is an amazing healer but so too are the wonderful people who
study for years how to care for other human beings. Why have their departments
been cut and slashed to the detriment of us now- realising we do not have
enough ventilators or nurses after years of these things being campaigned and
striked over, seems only to have been a long time coming.

Craft and Art are things which are always seen as unnecessary.
In schools, again, their departments are cut and funding to clubs and sessions
for children and adults is taken away and siphoned off elsewhere- where I do
not know.

But children are being entertained by their pencils and pens
drawing rainbows and suns which they proudly display for hope in their house
windows for those to look at as they walk past and muse on these strange and almost
dystopian times. Art therapy is on the rise and being used by people insecure
and unsure in isolation.

I do not claim to have any answers but only an observation
that maybe in these times we can look at things previously held in disregard by
mainstream society and see them for the life and mind saving things they really
are.

Mental and physical wellbeing are necessary things for human
beings to survive and exist and Art and the NHS/ other medical services are core
parts of these. Maybe not money making, but life-saving