Re-Attune is a participatory Creative Health framework that explores how sensory experience, artistic participation and everyday interaction can strengthen wellbeing, social connection and belonging. Selected through the CultureAndHealth Platform European Call, Re-Attune is currently being implemented in partnership with the Municipality of Markopoulo Mesogaias (Greece). The project is also co-funded through the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
Designed for community, cultural and wellbeing settings, Re-Attune creates low-threshold opportunities for participation through sensory exploration, embodied awareness and shared experience. Importantly, participation does not require verbal disclosure, artistic skill or emotional performance; presence, curiosity and sensory engagement are recognised as meaningful forms of participation.
The framework builds on an earlier pilot delivered during the period following COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Greece. Participant reflections from that pilot indicated that the sensory-based approach supported reconnection, shared presence and everyday wellbeing, informing the further development of Re-Attune. The current implementation includes a structured evaluation process that will explore participants’ experiences and support the ongoing development of the framework for future community applications.
Why Re-Attune?
Many adults experiencing loneliness, psychosocial stress or social withdrawal disengage from participation formats that depend primarily on talking, emotional disclosure or artistic performance. Consequently, Re-Attune offers an alternative pathway into participation through the senses and everyday experience. Rather than asking participants to explain themselves, the framework invites them to notice, explore, create and connect through shared sensory experiences. The approach supports:
- belonging
- embodied awareness
- everyday self-regulation
- social connection
- gentle re-engagement with shared space
- participation without clinical framing or pressure to disclose personal experiences
What participants experience
Across a structured series of facilitated sessions, participants engage with:
- sound exploration
- everyday materials
- natural objects
- sensory mapping
- collaborative making
- embodied perception
- shared reflection
The emphasis is not on producing artistic outcomes but on creating conditions for participation, individual agency and meaningful connection with others.
Current implementation
Re-Attune is currently being delivered through a partnership between artist Marilena Koliavasili and the Municipality of Markopoulo Mesogaias, where the programme is implemented within a municipal community setting. In addition, the project was selected through the CultureAndHealth Platform European Call as one of eight funded projects selected from 593 applications across Europe, recognising its contribution to the growing field of Creative Health. Alongside programme delivery, the project includes evaluation, documentation, a facilitation guide and an anonymised Sensory Atlas to support future learning, adaptation and knowledge sharing.
Where Re-Attune can be adapted
Re-Attune has been designed to work within existing community and institutional structures and can be adapted for:
- municipalities and local government
- community centres
- cultural organisations
- Creative Health programmes
- wellbeing initiatives
- loneliness prevention programmes
- intercultural participation
- socially engaged arts practice
Its flexible structure allows adaptation to different participant groups, organisations and local contexts while maintaining the core principles of sensory participation.
Collaboration
Current areas of collaboration include:
international collaboration
municipal implementation
pilot programmes
facilitator training
institutional workshops
arts and health partnerships
knowledge exchange
conference presentations
Development
Re-Attune has been developed through:
- participatory artistic practice
- intercultural community engagement
- multi-session facilitation
- partnership with the Municipality of Markopoulo Mesogaias (Greece)
- selection through the CultureAndHealth Platform European Call
- the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union
The framework continues to evolve through implementation, reflective practice and collaboration across community, cultural and Creative Health contexts.
About the creator
Marilena Koliavasili is a participatory artist, Creative Health practitioner and PMP® Project Manager working at the intersection of aesthetics, culture, wellbeing and community participation. Her work develops participatory methodologies that use sensory experience and everyday interaction to strengthen belonging, embodied awareness and social connection.
Contact
For municipal partnerships, pilot implementation, facilitator training or institutional collaborations:
Instagram: @eversthetics
LinkedIn: Marilena Koliavasili | LinkedIn