Health and wellbeing
Walsall selected as one of six systems to lead national Creative Health programme
Published on
Walsall has been chosen as one of six systems in England to take part in the first cohort of a new Creative Health Leads Programme by the National Centre for Creative Health, funded by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation.
Walsall Together, in partnership with Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Walsall Council’s Public Health team, linked to Walsall Cultural Compact, will jointly lead on the programme for Walsall.
The announcement marks an important step in embedding creative and cultural approaches into Walsall’s health and care system, supporting better health outcomes, prevention and community wellbeing.
The programme has been designed to strengthen the strategic and operational integration of creative health across prevention, population health, neighbourhood models and clinical pathways. By embedding dedicated leadership within systems, the initiative aims to move creative health from isolated innovation to sustained system change.
Walsall will work closely with the National Centre for Creative Health, partners and local communities to embed creative health priorities into local strategies and service delivery.
The role of the Creative Health Lead will help strengthen partnerships between the council, the NHS, the voluntary and community sector, and cultural organisations. It will also support work already happening across the borough to use creativity and culture to improve wellbeing, reduce health inequalities and support neighbourhood health models.
“ We’re pleased that Walsall has been selected as one of six systems to take part in this national programme. It recognises the strong foundations we already have in using creativity to support health, wellbeing and resilient communities. We hope the Creative Health Lead role will help us build on our neighbourhood health approach, strengthen partnerships and ensure more residents can benefit from the power of creativity in their everyday lives. “
“ Prevention and wellbeing are key priorities for the partnership, and creative health is an important part of our approach to developing neighbourhood health in Walsall. It brings together the voluntary and community sector, small businesses, cultural organisations and wider partners to support people’s health in ways that feel meaningful and accessible in everyday life.
We’re already seeing the impact of this through initiatives such as the Harmony project, delivered by Walsall Council Public Health and the Music Education Service, supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing through music and connection. The Creative Health Lead programme will help us build on this work, strengthening partnerships and embedding creative approaches more deeply across prevention, neighbourhood health and the wider health and care system. “
“ Supporting good mental health and emotional wellbeing is a key priority for our partnership, and creative health offers powerful ways to help people connect, express themselves and feel part of their communities. Creative approaches such as music, arts and culture can play an important role in prevention, helping people build confidence, resilience and stronger social connections. This programme presents an exciting opportunity for Walsall to build on the work that is already happening, bringing partners together to develop innovative ideas and embed creative approaches more widely across our health and care system to support better mental health and wellbeing for our communities. “
These systems will work closely with National Centre for Creative Health, partners and communities to embed creative health priorities into local strategic and operational plans.
The six successful systems selected for this first cohort represent the beginning of a wider national ambition. Over the next two years, the National Centre for Creative Health expects to support 25–30 Creative Health Leads across England.
The programme will also generate national learning to help understand how creative approaches can influence commissioning, support prevention-focused models, and contribute to long-term system transformation.
About the Creative Health Leads Programme
The Creative Health Leads Programme supports health and care organisations to embed creative health strategically and operationally across their systems, enabling creative approaches to contribute meaningfully to health outcomes. The programme provides:
• A two-year salary subsidy for a Creative Health Lead (NHS Band 7 or equivalent)
• Participation in a structured learning and development programme
• Evaluation and national dissemination of learning and impact
For more about the programme, visit: https://ncch.org.uk/creative-health-leads-programme
