Have you felt anything close to that subtle buzz of optimism as we move into 2025? It’s not just you. Everywhere I look, although I’m doing a lot of looking (see ‘red car theory’ for your own personal benefit) the wellness movement is gaining incredible momentum, and I can’t help but feel fired up about what it means for all of us – especially when it comes to our mental and emotional health. The global wellness market has hit a jaw-dropping $4.4 trillion, and although that’s a number beyond comprehension to the vast majority of us, behind it lie real people and real stories of connection, compassion, and hope. Take our public sector, for example: the transition into more wellness-focused initiatives is truly heartwarming. The Thrive Approach, now used in more than 2,000 UK schools, is a total game-changer. It folds emotional literacy into lessons, giving kids the words and support they need to talk about what’s going on inside. One of my favourite recent stories came from a London primary school that added creative writing workshops to the Thrive program. A young student – by all accounts normally on the quiet side – opened up, with poetry, about family worries and the situations that were weighing heavy. The reaction from classmates was nothing short of magic. They showed this gentle wave of support and empathy, proving that when we hand children the right tools, they can inspire an entire classroom to come together – a little, but major, win for hope and resilience! We’re seeing similar sparks of creativity in healthcare too. In Manchester, a fantastic charity called Arts for Health is doing extraordinary work. Their “Living with Long Covid” project gets patients to try storytelling and visual art workshops – a safe space for them to process what it means to deal with chronic illness. Many participants say this was the first time they truly felt seen. One person even said, “I didn’t feel alone for the first time since this all began.” In my book, that kind of connection is priceless. Now, let’s talk about boardrooms – usually not the most exciting of arenas but the corporate world is jumping on the wellness wave in a big way! In 2024, Unilever kicked off “Workplace Well,” which pairs employees with artists to paint murals about their personal and professional experiences. Not only are the offices looking brighter, but coworkers are actually getting to know each other on a deeper level. Other big names like Deloitte and PwC are also going beyond your usual “gym membership” approach. PwC’s mental health mentoring program, where people share real stories of resilience, is something we absolutely love here at Evoke. Employees are saying they feel more supported, and the data shows higher productivity because of it. Clearly, weaving creativity and openness into office culture can be a game-changer. You don’t have to look far for other signs of meaningful change. In Reading, local folks turned empty storefronts into pop-up creativity hubs, hosting everything from poetry slams to group meditations. One recent event brought together 50 people from all sorts of backgrounds to share stories of grief and hope. Sometimes, all it takes is a few people who believe in the power of creativity to transform an entire community space. Big budgets are nice, but these grassroots efforts prove you can do wonders with just passion and a drive to lift each other up. Even on the global stage, the ripples of creative wellness are getting stronger by the day. Look at The Healing Arts Initiative, which aims to use art as a bridge to healing on a massive scale. Their “Creativity in Crisis” campaign brought art therapy to refugee centres across Europe. The story of a 12-year-old Syrian boy who painted his dream of becoming a teacher is something I’ll never forget. “This makes me feel like I’m not invisible,” he said. Hearing that firsthand is a reminder of what it means to feel recognised, even in the most challenging circumstances. If you ask me, these glimpses of hope—whether they’re in schools, hospitals, offices, or neighbourhood gatherings—are telling a pretty powerful story. Yes, there’s a lot of chaos out there, and not everyone has an easy road. But there are just as many bright spots reminding us that creativity and connection can light up even the darkest corners. As we stride further into 2025, these moments underscore the fact that wellness isn’t some fluffy concept—it’s about real people thriving emotionally, socially, and creatively. Of course, making sure this “wellness revolution” reaches everyone is the next big challenge. The commitment to accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity has to stay front-and-centre; after all, we want everyone to experience these benefits,

not just a select few. But if these stories show us anything, it’s that we’re more than capable of coming together to make that happen. Because every time someone finds the courage to express themselves – be it through poetry, painting, or personal stories – a community somewhere grows stronger.