Creative health and wellbeing
Culture can have a significant impact on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing.
London has a world-class cultural offer. However, for too many Londoners these activities are out of reach.
We think it’s vital that everyone can take part in arts and culture, including the most vulnerable. Creative Health is part of the Mayor’s Health Inequalities Strategy and Health in All Policies approach, empowering people to improve their own and their community’s health and wellbeing.
Why creative health and wellbeing matters
Recent studies have found that ballroom dancing can reduce the risk of dementia by 76 per cent. A pilot programme of ENO Breathe saw 90% of participants improve their breathlessness during their recovery from COVID-19, through singing.
There is evidence that creative pursuits such as reading, drawing, cooking, gardening and playing music can boost our physical and mental wellbeing. This can make us happier, healthier, and can reduce isolation and loneliness.
That is why we’re building cultural activity into the London Recovery Missions as the city recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
How we're making a difference
As part of our commitment to make London a healthy place to live in for all Londoners, we’ve identified some areas that we've prioritised 2021-2024. These are:
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Cultural social prescribing – the role of arts and culture in primary health care and community services.
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Dementia/age-friendly cities – improving the lives of older Londoners and carers and creating the world’s first dementia-friendly capital city.
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Mental health – promoting better mental health, particularly in young Londoners.
London Creative Health Capital City
We see health and culture working together to address health needs across the UK’s capital city – made possible by a multitude of organisations, practitioners, artists, social prescribers, allied health professionals, ICS systems and more.
We are working closely with Arts Council England and London Arts and Health to explore the potential of London as a Creative Health Capital City.
We are engaging in conversations with stakeholders across health and creative sectors. Together, we are defining what building blocks are needed to improve creative health provision in London.
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Get involved
Our partners London Arts and Health publish a regular newsletter packed with opportunities and ways to engage with the Creative Health City movement, go to their website to sign up.
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