NCCH Announces the Launch of the Creative Health Leads in Systems Programme
NCCH is pleased to announce the launch of the Creative Health Leads Programme, supported by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation. The Creative Health Leads Programme will enable health and care organisations across England to embed creative health into prevention, population health, clinical pathways and neighbourhood models of care. Creative Health Leads will help systems improve wellbeing, reduce health inequalities and deliver more person-centred care.
We anticipate up to 25–30 Creative Health Lead roles will be supported over the next three years, with initial funding available to part-fund five posts.
Applications now open.
Round 1 deadline: 30 January 2026
Round 2 deadline: 6 March 2026
For more information, including details of how to apply, see our website: https://ncch.org.uk/creative-health-leads-programme.
Creative Health Leads Programme
The Creative Health Leads programme supports health and care organisations to embed creative health strategically and operationally across their systems. We anticipate up to 25–30 posts will be supported across England over the next three years, with initial funding available for five posts.
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.
Application deadlines:
Round 1 – 30 January 2026
Round 2 – 6 March 2026
Expressions of interest are welcome at any time.
Information Sessions
How to Apply
Full details of the programme can be found here.
The application form is here (please note this form is in a docx. format and will automatically download to download folders).
Expression of interest form is here (please note this form is in a docx. format and will automatically download to download folders).
Report on the Creative Health Associates programme is here
Any queries or to arrange a discussion please contact Jayne Howard, NCCH's Programme Manager – jayne@ncch.org.uk.
Quote from the Creative Health Associates programme (2023–2025):
“Our Creative Health Associate raised awareness of the value of creativity to improve health and wellbeing and by doing so influenced senior leaders and programmes such as maternity, mental health and women’s health.”
— Jo-anne Alner, Director of Population Health and Inequalities, Sussex ICB
