Cornwall Selected for National Creative Health Programme

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been selected as one of the first six areas in England to take part in the ‘Creative Health Leads’ programme from the National Centre for Creative Health.

Funded by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation, the programme will support the local health and care system to strengthen the use of creative health approaches. This includes activities linked to arts, culture, nature, heritage and community involvement.

As part of this first phase, the region will receive a two-year subsidy along with expert support to introduce a dedicated Creative Health Lead.

A Shift Towards Long-Term Change

The programme forms part of a wider national plan to establish around 25 to 30 creative health lead roles across England over the next two years.

The aim is to move beyond individual projects and towards long-term, system-wide change, embedding creative health into mainstream health and care.

Local Leaders React

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said:

“As a GP and someone who enjoys photography, I’ve seen how creative activities can help people feel better. Doing things like drawing, singing or spending time outdoors can lift our mood and help us feel more connected to others.

“This new programme will help us bring more of this kind of support to local people. The Creative Health Lead will work with our communities so more people can use creative activities to improve their health and wellbeing.”

Emma Rowse, Chief Executive Officer at Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, said:

“There is a wealth of evidence which shows that being creative is good for our health and wellbeing. Singing, dancing, sewing, painting, colouring and crafting provide mindfulness, social connection, mental and physical health benefits.

“The voluntary, community and social enterprise sector is full of individuals, community groups and charities who do this work every day. Cornwall VSF is delighted to have supported this application and the opportunity this new role brings to embedding creative health techniques across our organisations, services and communities.”

Ruth Goldstein, Assistant Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, added:

“We are proud to support this new investment in Creative Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Through our role in co-developing the Creative Health and Wellbeing Partnership Board, we have seen first-hand how creative approaches can enhance wellbeing, strengthen communities and improve outcomes.

“The appointment of a Creative Health Lead gives us an invaluable opportunity to embed creativity as a core part of how we design and deliver health and care.”

Supporting Communities Through Creativity

Derek Thomas, Place Director for the Central Cornwall Integrated Care Area, said:

“This is exciting news for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, bringing added focus on how creative activities can support everyone’s wellbeing.

“The neighbourhood health and wellbeing approach for our communities is all about holistic and well-rounded support. The ‘Creative Health Lead’ role helps us continue to develop and deliver non-medical interventions, whilst also engaging with communities to seek their views on how we can help them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Leighton Day, Director of Performance and Outcomes Delivery at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We are delighted that this funding gives a fantastic opportunity to strengthen neighbourhood health across Cornwall. Creative activity plays a powerful role in people’s wellbeing, and this programme will help us build more connection, creativity and community into care, helping people feel healthier in real, everyday ways.”

Part of a National Rollout

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly join Berkshire West, North East London, South East London, Walsall Together and West Yorkshire in the first group selected.

Alongside local benefits, the programme will also contribute to national learning around how creative health can be planned and delivered, and how it can support neighbourhood health models over the long term.