A radical new project is helping make young people in Gravesend healthier and happier through art.

Charity LV21 is running the Six Ways to Wellbeing scheme with the support of the Royal Opera House and Kent County Council (KCC).

The project focuses on helping youngsters aged between 13 and 25 recognise ‘six ways to wellbeing’ through creativity and helps boost their mental health.

Project manager Paivi Seppala is collecting 5,000 happy thoughts from residents which will culminate with a display at the Gravesham Christmas lights switch on parade on Friday (November 14).

She told News Shopper: "We just started going into schools last week- we went into Northfleet School for Girls to discuss how they can boost their wellbeing. 

"We’re working with 14 schools and with 600 young people.

"We’re also working with three and four-year-olds at Northfleet Nursery and captured their happy thoughts.

"We wanted to show how people felt about living in Gravesend, how it’s one of the best places on the planet and there are a lot of happy people here."

Paivi is excited about the innovation of the scheme.

She said: "This is the first time this kind of project has been funded by public health.

"I’ve worked in arts for the last 20 years and I’ve been able to see the value which art brings to mental health.

"It’s about getting people to realise being happy is a simple thing to do. Better wellbeing means people are less likely to need to go to the doctor or need to use medicines.

"We’re working with artists, graphic designers and fashion designers to deliver sessions but it’s all being led by the young people."

Paivi is confident the scheme will improve the health of young people in Gravesend.

She said: "When you feel better about yourself the world is your oyster and you have the energy to so much more.

"The feedback has been great - lots of people are saying, ‘I didn’t know it was so simple’."

Six Ways to Wellbeing 

Connect : with family, friends, colleagues, neighbours

Be active: walk, run, garden, dance

Take notice: be curious, reflect on experiences

Keep learning: try something new

Give: doing something for others

Care: for your community and the plant

Visit lv21.co.uk/education/six-ways-to-wellbeing