Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly chosen for national Creative Health Leads programme

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been named one of the first six areas in England selected for the ‘Creative Health Leads’ programme from the National Centre for Creative Health.

The programme, funded by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation, will support the local health and care system to strengthen approaches to creative health – such as arts, culture, nature, heritage and community activity.

In securing one of the very first places, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will receive a two‑year subsidy and expert support to establish a dedicated ‘Creative Health Lead’ for the region.

This first phase is part of a national plan to establish around 25 to 30 creative health lead roles across England over the next two years, marking a major step in embedding creative health within mainstream health and care. The aim is to move from isolated projects to sustainable, system-wide change.

Local leaders welcome the announcement

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly said:

“As a GP and someone who enjoys photography, I’ve seen how creative activities can help people feel better. Doing things like drawing, singing or spending time outdoors can lift our mood and help us feel more connected to others.

“This new programme will help us bring more of this kind of support to local people. The Creative Health Lead will work with our communities so more people can use creative activities to improve their health and wellbeing.”

Emma Rowse, Chief Executive Officer, Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum said:

“There is a wealth of evidence which shows that being creative is good for our health and wellbeing. Singing, dancing, sewing, painting, colouring and crafting provide mindfulness, social connection, mental and physical health benefits.

“The voluntary, community and social enterprise sector is full of individuals, community groups and charities who do this work every day. Cornwall VSF is delighted to have supported this application and the opportunity this new role brings to embedding creative health techniques across our organisations, services and communities.”

Ruth Goldstein, Assistant Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: 

“We are proud to support this new investment in Creative Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Through our role in co-developing the Creative Health and Wellbeing Partnership Board, we have seen first-hand how creative approaches can enhance wellbeing, strengthen communities and improve outcomes.

“The appointment of a Creative Health Lead gives us an invaluable opportunity to embed creativity as a core part of how we design and deliver health and care.”

Derek Thomas, Place Director for the Central Cornwall Integrated Care Area said:

“This is exciting news for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, bringing added focus on how creative activities can support everyone’s wellbeing.

“The neighbourhood health and wellbeing approach for our communities is all about holistic and well-rounded support. The ‘Creative Health Lead’ role helps us continue to develop and deliver non-medical interventions, whilst also engaging with communities to seek their views on how we can help them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Leighton Day, Director of Performance and Outcomes Delivery at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said:

“We are delighted that this funding gives a fantastic opportunity to strengthen neighbourhood health across Cornwall. Creative activity plays a powerful role in people’s wellbeing, and this programme will help us build more connection, creativity and community into care, helping people feel healthier in real, everyday ways.”

A national group with shared ambitions

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly join Berkshire West, North East London, South East London, Walsall Together and West Yorkshire in the first cohort who will work with national partners and local communities to lead the way in this next phase of creative health development.

Alongside direct local benefits, the programme will contribute to national learning about how creative health can be planned, how it supports neighbourhood health models, and how it can play a meaningful role in long-term change.