Posted February 24, 2025
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Creative Health SE News
Good Creative Health News
Government Funding for Arts, Culture and Heritage announced
The government has announced investment in arts and culture to “boost growth and cement Britain’s place as cultural powerhouse”. Some of the content of the announcement confirms the continuation of existing schemes. Further information can be found here: Major investment to boost growth and cement Britain’s place as cultural powerhouse – GOV.UK
From April 2025:
A new £85 million Creative Foundations Fund to support urgent capital works to keep venues across the country up and running;
A fifth round of the popular Museum Estate and Development Fund worth £25 million, which will support museums to undertake vital infrastructure projects, and tackle urgent maintenance backlogs;
A new £20 million Museum Renewal Fund to help keep cherished civic museums open and engaging, protect opening hours and jobs, continue serving communities, and tell our national story at a local level;
An additional £15 million for Heritage at Risk will provide grants for repairs and conservation to heritage buildings at risk, focusing on those sites with most need. This will restore local heritage, such as shops, pubs, parks, and town halls;
A fourth round of the Libraries Improvement Fund worth £5.5 million, which will enable public library services across England to upgrade buildings and technology to better respond to changing user needs;
A new £4.85 million Heritage Revival Fund to empower local people to take control of and look after their local heritage. It will support community organisations to own neglected heritage buildings bringing them back into good use;
An additional £120 million to continue the Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund, which will ensure national cultural public institutions are able to address essential works to their estate;
A 5% increase to the budgets of all national museums and galleries to support their financial resilience and help them provide access to the national collection;
Confirmation that DCMS will be providing £3.2 million in funding for four cultural education programmes for the next financial year to preserve increased access to arts for children and young people through the Museums and Schools Programme, the Heritage Schools Programme, the Art & Design National Saturday Club and the BFI Film Academy.
The announcement links the above investment to the Government’s Industrial Strategy by ensuring “arts and culture are a catalyst for growth in the Creative Industries and local economies by making sure cultural venues are supported to reach their full potential and attracting more tourists through our cultural institutions.”
Arts Council England: recommendations to support practitioners working in the context of health with regards to psychological and emotional support. https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/developing-creativity-and-culture/health-and-wellbeing/keeping-safe-report. Whilst the focus of the report is on artist practitioners, it is also relevant to any teams working with health and wellbeing delivery/includes vulnerable communities.
New Partnership Between the Southbank Centre and the South East London Integrated Care Board
This groundbreaking partnership aims to improve the mental health of children and young people across south east London, offering creative opportunities and resources to tackle health inequalities by focusing on those most in need.
The partnership will focus on supporting the development of:
✅ The Southbank Children and Young People’s Creative Health Centre: A dedicated space for creative health programmes that improve and support the mental health and wellbeing of local children and young people.
✅ Waiting Well Interventions: Supporting children on CAMHS waiting lists through creative activities.
✅ Creative Health Prevention Programmes: Using the arts to promote better mental health and prevent issues before they arise.
Over the next 12 months, the Southbank Centre and SEL ICB will work with NHS, cultural, voluntary and charitable sector partners to set a longer-term roadmap to deliver key programmes for local communities.
Events
The first two are ones I am running..
Creative Health in West Sussex – Wednesday 5th March 12-1pm. Lunch and learn!
Do you support people in West Sussex with creative activities and culture? Are you a creative practitioner, community organisation, a commissioner, academic or leader in this area? If so, this webinar is for you! To sign up please email: [email protected] Tickets are free. Please let me know your name, organisation and job title.
Counting our Creative Health Assets in West Sussex
- Introduction to Creative Health and why we need Creative Health to support communities – Esther Watts, Creative Health Associate, National Centre for Creative Health/Sussex ICB
- Introduction to the concept of integrated neighbourhood teams and the Sussex VCSE Leaders’ Alliance – Glenda Bonde, Sussex VCSE Leaders Alliance (SVLA) Strategic Lead (West Sussex )
- Your chance to share: Do you support Creative Health in West Sussex? What services do you run? Who is the audience? How are you funded? Which networks are you part of?
- Keep in touch with the National Centre for Creative Health/Sussex ICB
Target audience: for all those interested in Creative Health in West Sussex – a chance to bring people together and allow networking opportunities.
Please share this information with your network! To sign up please email: [email protected]
Creativity and Social Prescribing Thursday 6th March 2025, 1-2pm
What is Social Prescribing for Creativity, Health and Connection? How can we support patients and people with extra needs to engage with creative activities to support their health and wellbeing?
In this National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH) webinar hosted by NCCH’s Creative Health Associates Programme, we will hear from organisations/partnerships using the Social Prescribing model with the webinar’s host Esther Watts, South East Creative Health Associate. The session will include a Panel Discussion followed by a Q&A. Speakers include:
- Dr Simon Opher MP on the Gloucestershire model
- Monica Boulton from the National Academy for Social Prescribing
- Kathryn Lambert, Head of Arts and Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board and Rhian Rees, Senior Public Health Practitioner, Hywel Dda University Health Board on the Hywel Da
- Leigh Chalmers, Heritage Inclusion Manager at Wessex Archaeology
- Zoe Prichard, Project Co-ordinator, Well-City Salisbury
This session is suitable for: Commissioners and GPs and others in systems interested in Creative Prescribing. Those looking for a model to support the funding of activities: social prescribing leads, strategic creative health organisations, and academics. Register here
What is a Creative Health Board? by Mobilising Community Assets Thu, 27 Feb 2025 13:30 – 15:00 GMT
Join Prof Chris Dayson (Shaffield Hallam University) and Lucy Robertshaw (darts) from the Mobilising Community Assets funded Creative Health Boards project as they share insights about the Creative Health Board model, which started out in Doncaster but is now being taken-up across the country. They will draw on evidence from Doncaster and other areas of the country where creative health is beginning to be embedded in the health system to explore what needs to happen to make Creative Health Boards successful, including overcoming barriers to people experiencing health inequalities and giving a more central role to the voices of people with live experience.
After a presentation from Chris and Lucy, there will be a question and answer session with the team.
National Academy for Social Prescribing webinar: Prescribe Heritage – 18th March 12:30-1:30pm
Discover how connecting with heritage and the historic environment can be utilized for social prescribing. Established programs and experimental pilots demonstrate how heritage-led approaches deliver tangible benefits for individuals struggling with mental health issues, loneliness, isolation, and dementia.
https://www.kirkhamfutures.org/post/event-nasp-webinar-prescribe-heritage-18-march-2025
Exploring Older Men’s Participation in Arts & Wellbeing Services – Forum 2nd April 11-12:30pm
An informal discussion for arts & wellbeing providers to meet & share ideas around developing their work with older men in arts & wellbeing
This forum is an informal space for peer sharing and learning. We meet twice a year and anyone who is interested in developing their practice around supporting and working alongside older men in arts and wellbeing is very welcome to join!
Join us to share ideas, refine your working practices and meet other progressive people who are striving to innovate and excel in arts and wellbeing services for older people.
Health Literacy Webinar – NHSE Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme
It is imperative that communications to the public about their health are being understood. As the average reading age of adults in the UK is 9-11 years old, this is not always the case. Around half of adults find it hard to understand health information, which makes it harder for them to manage their wellbeing and creates unfair differences in people’s health.
Come to a free webinar to learn more about the importance of health literacy and get practical tips and advice on improving your everyday communications. This has been commissioned by the NHSE Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme and will be presented by the Northeast and North Cumbria health literacy team. The webinar will take place on Microsoft Teams and will run twice with identical content:
• 4th March 2025, 1-3pm
• 31st March 2025, 1-3pm
Find further information and sign up for the date of your choice here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-health-literacy-webinar-tickets-1217604330329
Breathe Arts Health Research Webinar on Weds 26th Feb (7 – 8.30pm) about our pioneering Breathe Magic Intensive Therapy Programme for young people with hemiplegia.
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, case manager, or student therapist wanting to learn more about innovative practice (including volunteering opportunities), or you’re considering referring a young person to the programme, this is the perfect opportunity to find out anything you need to know, and to ask any questions you may have about the programme, potential referrals, and volunteering.
Joint Clinical Lead Occupational Therapists, Becci Johnson and Rebecca Fortescue will talk through our award-winning intervention, combining specially designed magic tricks which encourage specific two-handed actions (bimanual therapy) and develop performance skills alongside practice of daily living skills and young people’s self-identified goals.
We’ll explore everything from how the programme works, and who it is designed for to the research and evidence base behind the programme and CPD opportunities.
Book your place here https://lnkd.in/eE9DU7pW
Considering referring a young person to our Breathe Magic Intensive Therapy Programme? Get in touch here. https://lnkd.in/eD-xauMq
East Sussex Trauma and Mental Health Project – 2nd April 12.30-3pm
We would like to invite you to attend an online workshop on 2nd April 2025, which focusses on trauma and the prevention of mental health problems.
The aims of the workshop are to,
• provide an overview of the related evidence base
• consider existing preventative approaches and treatment pathways
• identify opportunities to strengthen prevention activity in East Sussex
The workshop is a chance to hear about the work we have undertaken so far and contribute to the mental health prevention planning for East Sussex. Please find attached a short project outline with more detail about the project as a whole. This event is suitable for anyone with an interest in trauma, trauma informed approaches and mental health.
Follow this link to book. https://buytickets.at/eastsussexcountycouncil27/1596163 . You will receive a Ticket Tailor link which will take you to the Teams event on the 2nd April.
What impact do the words we use have on people who access mental health services?
To find out, join us on at a webinar at 12.15pm on Thursday 6 March 2025 for the launch of ‘Changing the language: a guide to language for mental health’
The guide has been developed to help encourage positive conversations and an improved understanding of the impact that language, words and phrases can have on people when they are accessing mental health support.
It is intended to be used as a tool for discussion, with useful tips to help you reflect on the language you use day to day and suggestions about how you might converse and interact with people who access mental health services.
The guide has been coproduced by people with an interest in supporting a positive change of the language we use. This has included people with lived and living experience of mental health difficulties and using services, experts by experience, families and carers, and people working in health and care services across Sussex.
The 45-minute webinar will be presented by Dr Oliver Dale – Chief Medical Officer, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Natasha Barefield – Engagement and Co-production Lead, Possibility People and will include time for questions and answers.
Sent on behalf of the Mental Health Language Reference Group
Resources
National Academy for Social Prescribing – research in collaboration with Local Trust
This research uncovers examples of local people being able to influence or lead social prescribing programmes, based on their communities’ needs.
East Sussex Cultural Sector – Data and Evidence Review Jan 2025
UK research study finds that creative engagement can improve public health
Frontier Economics and The United Kingdom’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport recently released a groundbreaking report showing that creative experiences—from drawing classes to music performances—measurably improve people’s wellbeing and productivity, translating to £8bn in cost savings for the national healthcare system.
These benefits span a wide range of populations, including children ages 10-14, young adults ages 18-28, middle-aged adults ages 30-49, and older adults over 50.
This report underscores the transformative power of the arts—not only for personal wellness, but also as a cost-effective solution for public health challenges.
Read the full report below, or check out this article from The Guardian summarizing the paper’s findings: https://lnkd.in/dyTJw2ZG
Consuming Arts and Culture is Good for Health and Wellbeing Research Finds
The Keeping Safe report
This is a review of psychosocial and wellbeing support options for creative practitioners working with challenging conditions and circumstances. This research was conducted and reported by Dr Julia Puebla Fortier and Dr Kate Massey-Chase, with support from Dr James Woodhams.
Research
Paul Hamlyn Foundation – Calling leaders of socially engaged arts organisations to apply for a Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship
Are you driving social change and community engagement through arts? Ready to accelerate your impact? The Alliance for Socially Engaged Arts Fellowship is a unique opportunity for visionary leaders across Europe to:
Strengthen their organisation with a €60,000 development grant; Enhance leadership skills through training, workshops & peer exchange; Join a dynamic network of arts organisations creating social change
Over 18 months, up to 15 fellows will take part in immersive learning experiences, advocacy efforts, and cross-cultural collaboration. Apply by 24 February: https://lnkd.in/eQqmqb8h
University of Derby calls for submissions to Nature Connections 2025 The Nature Connections series brings together researchers and practitioners interested in nature connection to share and discuss the latest research, ideas, and applications. This year, the Nature Connections 2025 will take place on the 16th and 17th of June in Derby City, with a mix of presentations, workshops, and time to meet and connect with others and with nature. This conference is hosted by University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group (NCRG), which aims to advance understanding of human-nature relationships and ways of improving them, for the well-being of humans and the rest of nature.
Abstract Submission Submissions should outline a study, project or practice that focuses on nature connection – people’s sense of relationship with the more-than-human world. We welcome submissions from any sector, including academics, creatives, practitioners, and other professionals. Please note:
- Papers and posters that focus on nature contact and access without consideration of psychological and emotional connection with nature are unlikely to be accepted.
- Submissions from organisations should focus on a specific project, method, application, evaluation, or perspective, i.e. they should be more like a report, story, or essay than a pitch or general overview of what your organisation does.
The deadline for abstract submissions is Thursday 20 March 2025, 5pm.
https://www.derby.ac.uk/events/latest-events/nature-connections-conference/
Call for Papers: Social Prescribing in the Journal of Integrated Care
Researchers, practitioners, and advocates are invited to contribute to this special issue on Social Prescribing led by IFIC. Deadline: April 30, 2025
Find out more here Social Prescribing: Using Integrated Approaches to Support Community Wellbeing in Rural and Urban Areas | Emerald Publishing
Sussex News
Amaze – ing work on support for families navigating the neurodevelopmental assessment process in Sussex wins NHS England Best Practice award
The Amaze ND Family Support Service, commissioned by NHS Sussex and delivered by Amaze, received a Special Acknowledgement Honour at the NHS England Best Practice Health Partnership in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Celebration 2025. The service was highlighted for the positive impact it has had in supporting families navigating the neurodevelopmental assessment process, including those waiting for an autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental diagnosis.
Please also see West Sussex Creative Health Meeting above in events
Funding News
Funding to support communities in Adur and Worthing tackle everyday cost of living challenges. From shared childcare and batch cooking to innovative funding models, we want to create opportunities for local people to build solutions that matter. This is being funded by the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Why this matters:
Strong communities happen when everyone’s voice is heard, and we work together to make our neighbourhoods thrive. This initiative is part of our commitment to: address the cost of living crisis
build fairer, greener, and more connected communities; empower residents to take action that has real impact.
What’s available: We’ve commissioned Funding People as our delivery partner to:
support grassroots projects in neighbourhoods
help initiatives scale through innovative economic models
Funding People will support groups to develop and grow practical projects to tackle the cost of living, through an externally funded community fund of £60,000.
To find out more visit: Funding People website – where you can read the FAQS and apply to take part or contact [email protected]
https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/supporting-communities-to-make-a-difference/
Next week Asda Foundation opens grant programme for young people
Young Futures Fund is a new funding opportunity, with grants ranging from £500 to £1,000, to be used to specifically support young people aged from 13-21. The application window for this fund opens on Thursday 27th February (Noon). Please use this time to prepare an application.
Asda Foundation recognises the importance of supporting young people in our communities, with a particular focus on their mental health and wellbeing. This year, we will be providing up to £500,000, via the Young Futures Fund, to support young people in their development.
Whether you’re hosting a safe space for young people to be together or delivering workshops to educate 13-21 year olds on important topics such as knife crime, the Young Futures Fund can be used to deliver projects near you.
This grant is for groups which meet at least one of the following objectives:
- Provide services that support, educate and empower
- Connect young people to their peers.
- Support rehabilitation and recovery and provide shelter.
- Deliver activities / programmes that improve physical health and wellbeing.
Application Deadline 13/03/2025 – The application window may close early if the total budget is reached
Get in touch
Enquiries
0300 124 6810Address
3VA
49 Station Road
Polegate
East Sussex
BN26 6EA
