ABSTRACT
The Happy Hearts Lantern in Wrekenton is one event, bringing together arts, health, education and voluntary sector agencies to work at grass roots level to identify and address health needs. In the mid 1990s the arts in health company Pioneer Projects was commissioned by Gateshead Council to produce a celebratory lantern procession with local people. Teachers, health professionals and local artists learned how to make lanterns at an open day held a year previously for all interested parties. Local people have formed The Happy Hearts Alliance to help fundraise and keep the spirit of the project going throughout the year. Plans are afoot for Happy Hearts 2003 to be host to a contingent from Hendon. Happy Hearts contributed to the local community carnival for the first time in 1999. Maintaining the Happy Hearts Alliance and the Young Hearts groups is a sensitive task that falls outwith the more obvious job description of the project workers.
