Creative Health & Wellbeing

At Creative Hands Foundation, we believe that creativity is a powerful tool for improving health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Our Creative Health programmes use arts, culture, heritage, music, dance and creative participation to support people to live healthier, happier and more connected lives. Working alongside communities and partner organisations, we deliver inclusive activities that improve mental wellbeing, reduce loneliness and social isolation, encourage physical activity and strengthen community resilience.

Our programmes are particularly beneficial for:

• Older adults
• Young people
• Families
• People experiencing loneliness or social isolation
• People living with anxiety, stress or low mood
• Individuals recovering from illness or facing long-term health conditions
• Diverse and minoritised ethnic communities
• Carers and community volunteers

Our Creative Health Programmes

Mental Health Resilience Hubs

Safe and welcoming spaces where participants engage in creative activities, peer support and wellbeing sessions that promote emotional resilience, confidence and social connection.

Creative Wellbeing Workshops

Hands-on visual arts, ceramics, sculpture, textiles and crafts that encourage relaxation, self-expression, mindfulness and personal development while improving confidence and emotional wellbeing.

Dance & Keep Fit

Fun, inclusive movement sessions designed to improve mobility, balance, flexibility and cardiovascular health while reducing social isolation and promoting healthy ageing.

African Drumming & Music for Wellbeing

Interactive drumming sessions that improve mood, reduce stress, encourage physical activity and strengthen social connections through shared musical experiences.

Heritage & Cultural Wellbeing

Creative projects that celebrate culture, identity and local heritage through storytelling, exhibitions, traditional arts and community engagement, fostering pride, belonging and intergenerational learning.

Social Prescribing Activities

We are developing our programmes to support Social Prescribing, enabling healthcare professionals and community partners to refer individuals to creative activities that improve health and wellbeing through non-clinical interventions.

Our Impact

Our Creative Health programmes help participants to:

• Improve mental health and emotional wellbeing
• Reduce loneliness and social isolation
• Increase physical activity and healthy ageing
• Build confidence, self-esteem and resilience
• Strengthen cultural identity and community cohesion
• Develop creative and practical skills
• Improve social connections and sense of belonging
• Support healthier, more resilient communities

Working in Partnership

Creative Hands Foundation works with local authorities, schools, healthcare providers, museums, housing associations and voluntary organisations to deliver creative health programmes that make a lasting difference.

We are committed to supporting the ambitions of the NHS, local authorities and community partners by using creativity as a preventative approach to improving health and reducing inequalities.