Agenda item

Purpose: To update the Board on health and wellbeing projects being delivered by the Arts and Culture Sector

Katy Griffiths (Director, Corn Exchange Newbury) presented the item on the Arts and Culture Health and Wellbeing Projects (Agenda Item 12).

It was noted that there had been a change in the last five years with more health and wellbeing activity – the Corn Exchange was anticipating 30,000 engagements in participatory programmes in the current year. This was a growth areas for the arts sector as a whole.

There were clear links with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy including around mental health, and there was evidence to support how engaging in arts projects was having an impact.

There was a regular programme of paid for courses and classes, with bursary places, which had been used to support Ukrainian families and Afghan refugees. Other programmes were funded from a range of external sources, including the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Surviving to Thriving Fund, as well as national funders, such as National Lottery.

Evaluation of programmes was seen as important to be able to demonstrate the impacts.

The Links to thrive Programme provided ‘arts on prescription’. Various primary care networks and their social prescribers were involved. There had been 917 prescribed attendance at arts courses designed to improve mental and tackle isolation.

A wide range of programmes were run across many different venues across the district, including rural communities, care homes and other venues. In order to reach the most vulnerable, it was recognised that it needed to be as easy as possible for people to engage. It was noted that the creative art journaling had been used successfully with adults, and was being rolled out to children.

Details were provided of the Links to Thrive programme, which provided arts on prescription. This was overseen by a steering group drawn from various partner organisations. Efforts were focused on how the programme could be developed and expanded from the pilot. 

The evaluation suggested that the programme could make a significant contribution to community health and wellbeing if it could operate at a greater scale. It could play an important role in tackling social isolation. Participants found that it addressed their particular health and wellbeing needs. It also had the potential to make a significant contribution to delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The Corn Exchanges wanted closer dialogue with the Health and Wellbeing Board and indicated that they were looking for a champion from the Board to join the Steering Group.

It was suggested that the final evaluation report could be brought to a future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Members noted that the arts were often seen as a luxury, but the benefits of these programmes were clear, and Members felt that it would be a shame if programmes had to be cut back due to lack of funding. It was suggested that there may be Councillors outside of the Health and Wellbeing Board with relevant expertise who could act as a champion.

It was noted that the Two Saints Hostel had a space for arts, but they were struggling for support and volunteers. It was suggested that there may be groups like this that may not engage with regular programmes, but would benefit from this type of support.

Members cited this as an excellent example of partnership working with Primary Care Networks and social prescribers. It was recognised that arts and culture could have a powerful impact and could be a good alternative to medical interventions as illustrated by the testimonies from participants. It was noted that studies had shown particular benefits for those recovering from strokes.

It was highlighted that the Public Health Team ran similar programmes and it was suggested that there could be joint initiatives in future. Given the scientific evidence of the benefits of such programmes, it was suggested that the Integrated Care Board should provide additional support to help roll it out to more people.

Councillor Jo Stewart indicated that she had a fundraising role and would like to explore with the Corn Exchange about what the champion role involved.

Action: Councillor Jo Stewart to discuss the champion role with Katy Griffiths.

It was noted that the benefits from this type of programme were much greater than for the most frequently documented interventions. One of the roles of the champion would be to disseminate the findings of the evaluation reports.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.