National Centre for Creative Health announces second cohort of selected systems for Creative Health Leads Programme
The National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH) is delighted to announce the six health and care systems selected for the second cohort of its Creative Health Leads Programme, funded by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation.
These systems join the first cohort announced earlier this year (Berkshire West, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, North East London, South East London, Walsall Together, and West Yorkshire.) Together, they mark an exciting step forward in building a growing national network of Creative Health Leads across England and strengthening the role of creative health within health and care systems nationwide.
The second cohort includes:
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire - Hosted by NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) ICB
Across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG), strong examples of creative health demonstrate the value of arts-based approaches in improving health and reducing inequalities. However, access and sustainability remain uneven. The Creative Health Lead will focus on creating a more coordinated, system-wide approach, connecting partners across the NHS, local authorities and the VCSE and cultural sectors.
Aligned with priorities such as neighbourhood health and prevention, the role will support the integration of creative health into place-based delivery and key system initiatives, while strengthening the sustainability of the VCSE and cultural sectors. Hosted within the NHS BNSSG ICB, it will work across partners and regional networks to raise visibility, strengthen collaboration and use evidence to inform decision-making—moving from pockets of excellence to a sustainable, system-level approach.
- Greater Manchester – Hosted by Greater Manchester Public Health Network
The Greater Manchester Creative Health Lead will work as part of the Greater Manchester Public Health Network, to embed creative health within neighbourhood health to reduce inequalities and strengthen prevention. The role will connect public health leadership, NHS partners, local authorities and the VCFSE and cultural sectors, supporting a coordinated approach across the city-region. Aligned with major system priorities, the role will focus on integrating creative health into Live Well: GM’s approach to neighbourhood health and prevention. This includes an initial focus on frailty and dementia in year one, building on the work our two National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme localities have done, and broadening to other priorities from year two. By working across localities and with system partners, the programme aims to ensure creative health is visible, valued and sustainably embedded within neighbourhood health, supporting earlier intervention and more connected, community-based care.
- North Central London – Hosted by University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust
The North Central London Creative Health Lead will work across local authorities, NHS partners and the VCSE and cultural sectors to embed creative health within neighbourhood care models and population health priorities. Building on existing partnerships and activity, the role will focus on strengthening collaboration and connecting creative and health systems across the region.
Aligned with neighbourhood transformation, health inequalities and prevention, the role will support the integration of creative health into care pathways, personalised care and community-based support, with a particular focus on underserved communities. It will also develop a community of practice, map and connect existing provision, and support workforce development so that creative approaches are embedded across services.
- Portsmouth – Hosted by Portsmouth City Council Community Health Development Team
The Portsmouth Creative Health Lead will work across Portsmouth City Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust alongside NHS partners and the VCSE and cultural sectors to embed creative health within neighbourhood health and system-wide priorities.
Building on strong partnership working through Health and Care Portsmouth, the role will connect activity across public health, mental health and community services. It will also support the use of creative approaches in service design and community engagement, particularly in areas experiencing the highest levels of inequality.
By strengthening coordination, evaluation and partnerships - and leveraging major cultural opportunities - the programme aims to create a more joined-up, sustainable approach to creative health that improves outcomes and reduces inequalities across Portsmouth and the wider system.
- South West London – Hosted by Croydon Public Health
The South West London Creative Health Lead will work across the Integrated Care System to strengthen the strategic role of creative health, connecting activity across boroughs and aligning it with system-wide priorities. Hosted by the London Borough of Croydon, where there is an established creative health infrastructure, the role will build on strong local foundations while supporting delivery across six boroughs.
Working with local authorities, NHS partners and the VCFS and cultural sectors, the role will focus on embedding creative health within prevention, neighbourhood health and personalised care, including strengthening referral pathways such as social prescribing. It will also support coordination between borough-level activity and ICS priorities, improve the use of evidence and help identify sustainable funding—establishing a more joined-up and sustainable approach across South West London.
- Wigan – Hosted by Wigan Public Health
The Wigan Creative Health Lead will provide strategic leadership to embed creative health across the borough, building on strong local partnerships and the Cultural Strategy, The Fire Within the Forge. The role will sit within Public Health and work across the council, NHS, VCFSE and cultural sectors to strengthen coordination and reduce fragmentation in current provision.
Aligned with priorities around prevention, wellbeing and inequalities, the role will focus on developing a borough-wide approach, including mapping existing activity, establishing a Creative Health Network and delivering targeted pilot programmes. Initial priorities include children and young people’s mental health and reducing social isolation in older people.
By strengthening collaboration, developing shared evaluation and building the evidence base, the programme aims to create a more coherent, equitable and sustainable approach to creative health—embedding it as a core part of neighbourhood health and community support in Wigan.
Strengthening Creative Health Across Health and Care Systems
The Creative Health Leads Programme has been designed to support the strategic and operational integration of creative health across prevention, population health, neighbourhood models and clinical pathways.
By embedding dedicated leadership within health and care systems, the initiative aims to move creative health from isolated innovation to sustained system-wide change.
Participating systems will receive:
- A two-year salary subsidy for a Creative Health Lead (NHS Band 7 or equivalent).
- Structured learning and development through a national programme.
- Evaluation and shared learning to support wider system change.
Alongside local impact, the programme will generate national learning about how creative health can be commissioned, support neighbourhood health models, and contribute to long-term health system transformation.
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