Unlocking the Power of Creative Health in Buckinghamshire

Heart of Bucks‘ recent report on Creative Health sheds light on the transformative role of arts and culture in enhancing health and wellbeing across our communities. It highlights both the challenges and opportunities within the sector. If creative health is not a term you’ve heard before, you’ll want to read on.

Understanding Creative Health

Creative health is defined as the process of integrating arts, culture and creativity into health and social care. Creative health activities can include music-making, dance, theatre, art, crafts, film, literature, cooking and gardening, and attending a whole host of cultural sites associated with the above (museums, concert halls, galleries, libraries and more).

The goal of creative health is to improve health and wellbeing through arts and culture. It involves embedding arts and culture in public health systems, alongside non-medical, community-based programmes to facilitate opportunities for everyone to engage in creativity.

Key facts on Creative Health

• Music therapy reduces agitation and medication need in 67% of dementia patients
• Expressive writing reduces physiological stress, resulting in 14% improved lung function in adults with asthma
• Dance therapy saves the NHS £157 million/yr by reducing risk of Type 2 diabetes
• Dance therapy reduces fall-related fracture incidents by 58%
• Singing interventions result in 23% reduction in A&E admissions and 21% decline in GP appointments by COPD and asthma-sufferers
• Every £1 spent maintaining parks generates as much as £34 in community benefits

Read the full Bucks Uncovered report for more data on Creative Health.

The Role of Buckinghamshire Culture

Buckinghamshire Culture plays a pivotal strategic role in promoting and supporting arts and culture within the county. Their initiatives have been instrumental in developing a thriving cultural landscape that benefits everyone. From organising community events and supporting local artists to generating links between the health and culture sectors, Buckinghamshire Culture ensures that the arts remain accessible and impactful.

Key Recommendations

One of the standout recommendations from the Heart of Bucks report is the creation of a funded role dedicated to arts, culture, and health. This role would focus on developing and implementing Creative Health initiatives, ensuring that the benefits of arts and culture are fully realised within our health and social care systems.

For small charities, advocating for and supporting this recommendation could lead to significant improvements in service delivery and community wellbeing.

Why It Matters

If you’re a small charity delivering arts and cultural activities you are probably already contributing to Creative Health. By framing your impact in this way, you can unlock the full potential of Creative Health and create a brighter, healthier future for all in Buckinghamshire.