Programmes
Creative Health Network
The power of culture to positively impact physical and mental health and wellbeing is well documented. We recently celebrated this as part of the National #culturemakes campaign, which identified health and wellbeing as one of the 8 impacts of culture.
More than just a by-product of creative activity, Creative Health is becoming a practice in its own right. Creative Health is the intersection of creativity and healthcare, where creative activities are intentionally designed to support mental and physical health, wellbeing and social connection. Other benefits include:
Reduced stress and anxiety
Improved mood and social connection
Support recovery from illness and trauma
Boost confidence and sense of purpose
In recognition of this growing area of practice, we are partnering with Plymouth Wellbeing Hub Network to develop a Creative Health Network in Plymouth. This is an invitation to take part in a conversation about what creative health means to you and how we can grow this work locally. It is an opportunity to celebrate work already happening and build deeper connections and collaborations between creatives/artists and healthcare practitioners.
National Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2025
To celebrate National Creativity and Wellbeing Week 2025 (19–25 May), we are sharing the amazing events programme offered by Plymouth Wellbeing Hub Network. Residents of all ages are invited to take part in a variety of creative, inclusive and community-driven events that support better mental health and wellbeing.
From gardening and photography to dance, crafts, singing and creative writing, the week offers free and low-cost activities across the city, hosted by local partners at Mannamead Hub, Four Greens Wellbeing Hub, Jan Cutting Healthy Living Centre, ELM Centre, Wolseley Community Hub, Rees Centre, and more.
If you are a venue, practitioner or artists and would like to get involved in National Creativity and Wellbeing Week, full resources are provided on the website. The founding organisations provide a wealth of research, evidence and toolkits in the Creative Health filed and we recommend you take a look.
Blue Mind
With reference to our recently announced Sea for Yourself programme and partnership with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, we are particularly interested to explore Creative Health in relation to nature and marine environments. The Blue Mind Theory, developed by Dr Wallace Nichols, suggests that proximity to water can improve mental health. We have a unique marine landscape in Plymouth that provides an opportunity to connect artists, scientists and technologists to better understand and communicate the powerful and beneficial relationship between people and ocean. We will bring this thinking into our Creative Health Network conversations.