Building on the learning from the NCCH Creative Health Associates Programme, Creative Health Leads will help deliver system priorities by integrating creative health into prevention, population health, clinical pathways and neighbourhood models of care. The programme is supported by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation and delivered by the National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH).
What the Programme Offers
- Two-year salary subsidy for a Creative Health Lead (NHS Band 7 level or equivalent)
- Structured learning and development programme
- Evaluation and national dissemination of learning and impact
- Support from the National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH)
Programme purpose
To embed Creative Health Leads in health and care systems across England, enabling strategic and operational integration of creative health into population health improvement, clinical pathways and neighbourhood-level care.
Role design and flexibility
Roles will be bespoke to each system, based on a core job description and adapted to local context. Posts may be hosted in: ICBs, multi-neighbourhood providers, NHS provider organisations, neighbourhood teams, public health teams, Integrated Health Organisations (from 2027), or other partner organisations with formal NHS links.
Examples of common role approaches (non-prescriptive):
- Joint NHS–Local Authority post – place-based role spanning statutory and community partners
- Neighbourhood-level role – embedding creative health across Integrated Neighbourhood Teams
- Strategic ICB role – integrating creative health into clinical pathways and system strategy
- Provider-based role – hosted by an NHS provider or provider collaborative, working closely with social care
The programme is designed to be flexible and responsive to local priorities; organisations are encouraged to have early discussions with NCCH about their particular context.
