Check out our latest Q&A with Dr Justin-Varney Bennett, Creative Health Lead at the DHSC.
He reflects on what creative health means to him, why now is the right time for national leadership, how it fits with NHS & social care priorities. ncch.org.uk/blog/creativ...
📣 Live from Westminster: APPG Creative Health Roundtable
“Digital is the future” — Oliver Gingrich
“Not all therapies fit everyone” — Simon Glenister
“Clearer ethical frameworks for AI are needed” — Emilios Lemoniatis
ncch.org.uk/blog/appg-cr...
📣 Now live from Westminster: APPG Creative Health Roundtable
Exploring how creative health can support NHS digital ambitions — from AI & VR to wider system change.
💬 Insights and quotes coming soon events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2a2ce0...
#CreativeHealth #DigitalHealth #CreaTech
📣 On Today! Join the APPG Creative Health Roundtable: Digital Health & CreaTech 20 April, 2–4pm | Online Explore how creative health can support NHS digital ambitions, including CreaTech (AI, VR & more), and opportunities & challenges. Register: ncch.org.uk/blog/appg-cr... #DigitalHealth
If you’re commissioning creative health, start with the right questions: What does the data tell us? How do we co-design with communities?
Read more here: ncch.org.uk/blog/commiss...
Image from Pixabay
NCCH & @mobcommassets.bsky.social report shares how Gloucestershire's ICB has embedded creative health across its system.
The county’s journey shows that system change begins with early champions who hold both vision and influence.
ncch.org.uk/uploads/Embe...
Photo credit: Leylan Ozkan
🪴 🎭 🎻 🩰Creative health activities can improve wellbeing, reduce anxiety & help people feel more connected.
In inpatient settings, projects like music-making support confidence & self-expression: ncch.org.uk/blog/using-c...
Photo Credit: Fresh Arts Festival, North Bristol NHS Trust © Jim Wileman
📬 Our April NCCH General Newsletter is out! This month we share:
• The upcoming APPG roundtable on Digital Health & CreaTech
• A event with @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social celebrating #CreativityandWellbeingWeek
• Key evidence on the economic case for creative health
mailchi.mp/ncch/april20...
📣 Join the APPG Creative Health Roundtable: Digital Health & CreaTech
20 April, 2–4pm | Online
Explore how creative health can support NHS digital ambitions, including CreaTech (AI, VR & more), and opportunities & challenges.
Register: ncch.org.uk/blog/appg-cr...
🏥🎨 Research in the Creative Health Research Round-Up report shows group art therapy can help to reduce staff burnout.
See p.41 for findings from a randomised controlled trial across four NHS hospitals 👉 ncch.org.uk/uploads/NCCH_RSPH-Creative-Health-Research-Round-Up-2025.pdf
Photo: Eloise Ross
📊 Missed the Building the Economic Case for Creative Health webinar?
This @mobcommassets.bsky.social session explored evidence, evaluation & a ‘Business Case’ template for creative health.
Watch the recording & find out more:
ncch.org.uk/news/creativ...
#CreativeHealth
Thank you, we appreciate the support 🎨
We’re looking forward to working with systems to help embed creative health more widely across health and care.
Dance as part of Parkinson’s management, brings together strength, balance, rhythm, social connection & supports physical & cognitive health.
To see how, explore NHS developed resources here:
ncch.org.uk/resources/le...
Image: Dance for Parkinson's, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust.
Webinar: Building the Economic Case for Creative Health
📣27 March 2026 | 11:00–12:30
Join this @mobcommassets.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk & NCCH, webinar with Arts Council Wales, Bangor University and Edge Hill University!
Register:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-t...
📬 The March NCCH Health & Care Newsletter is here!
This month:
• Creative Health Leads Programme – first 6 systems announced 👏
• APPG roundtable on Digital Health & CreaTech 🗓️ (20th April 2026)
• Dance & healthy ageing & new resources
Read it here: mailchi.mp/4f0c28498029...
🎉Creative health leadership is coming to West Yorkshire, as it joins the Creative Health Leads in Systems Programme!
The role will strengthen collaboration between the NHS, local government, universities, cultural organisations and communities 👏
ncch.org.uk/news/ncch-an...
🎉 Walsall Together is one of the six systems selected for the Creative Health Leads Programme!
The Lead will support prevention & recovery through creative activities, helping tackle health inequalities and strengthen neighbourhood wellbeing.
ncch.org.uk/news/ncch-an...
🎉 South East London is also one of the six systems selected for the Creative Health Leads Programme! The Creative Health Lead will help to connect NHS, councils & cultural partners to embed creative health in prevention, mental health & community wellbeing.
Read here: ncch.org.uk/news/ncch-an...
📍 North East London is one of the six systems selected for the Creative Health Leads Programme. The Creative Health Lead will help embed creative health across mental health, prevention & social prescribing, working with NHS, councils and community partners.
Read more 🔗 ncch.org.uk/news/ncch-an...
Great news!
This will help to strengthen the role of Creative Health in local health and care priorities across the country🎨
🎉 Cornwall & Isles of Scilly will appoint a Creative Health Lead through the Creative Health Leads Programme!
The role will connect NHS, councils & community organisations to embed creative health in prevention, reduce isolation and support wellbeing.
Read here🔗 ncch.org.uk/news/ncch-an...
🎉 Berkshire West is in the first cohort of the Creative Health Leads Programme! Hosted by West Berkshire Council, the Lead will connect arts, culture & health across neighbourhood teams to support mental health, prevention & social prescribing.
🔗 ncch.org.uk/news/ncch-announces-chl-systems
🎉 The first six systems for the Creative Health Leads Programme are announced!
Berkshire West, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, North East London, South East London, Walsall Together & West Yorkshire 👏
Thanks to @artscouncilengland.bsky.social & The Baring Foundation
ncch.org.uk/news/ncch-an...
🎉 Welcome Dr Phil Hammond as a Patron of the NCCH.
Phil is an NHS doctor, journalist, broadcaster, speaker, campaigner and comedian. He worked as a GP for 20 years and spent 11 years supporting young people with severe fatigue, including Long Covid.
🔗 ncch.org.uk/ncch-patrons
📬 Our March NCCH General Newsletter is out! This month we share:
• The upcoming APPG roundtable on Digital Health & CreaTech
• A webinar on the economic case for creative health 📊
• Welcoming Dr Phil Hammond as our Patron 🎉
• International Women’s Day blog 🌸
Read here: mailchi.mp/ncch/march20...
🎨 Work in health & care and interested in #CreativeHealth?
Join one of our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and receive network updates, events & resources:
🩺 GP SIG
ncch.org.uk/gp-sig-for-c...
💊 Pharmacy SIG
ncch.org.uk/pharmacy-sig
👩⚕️ Nursing SIG
ncch.org.uk/nursing-sig-...
📷Image from Unsplash
🎨 How can creative health support public health?
A case study from @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social shows how creative projects helped engage communities and build a city-wide creative public health programme.
Read more: ncch.org.uk/resources/im...
#CreativeHealth #PublicHealth
🧠 Creative health helps to support mental health, build resilience & ease pressure on NHS health services. From art & singing to gardening & community projects like Synergi-Leeds, the impact is clear.
👉
Ahead of #InternationalWomensDay we’re highlighting how creative health supports women’s perinatal mental health — from songwriting with NHS teams to group singing for postnatal depression.
📘 Read more: ncch.org.uk/uploads/NCCH...
📷 St George’s Health & Wellbeing Hub. Credit: Mae London.
