New network to support music and health work
The initiative will bring together music and health practitioners and provide opportunities for continuing professional developmen…
Posts
Research undervalues social impact of the arts, review finds
An evidence review concludes that nuances around the impact of arts interventions are being lost as evaluations take “an ove…
Trusting young people in care
Nathan Geering explains how a hip-hop dance production has helped give a voice to young people in the care system.
Opportunities to take part in music ‘essential’ in care homes, says report
An evaluation finds that interactive three-month musical programmes had “particularly strong effects upon people’s com…
Back reading to tackle loneliness epidemic, Government urged
A new report calls for £200m investment and a national reading movement to improve the UK’s mental health, wellbeing a…
Government plans social prescribing academy
The institution will champion non-drug treatments and create a body of knowledge to support healthcare workers.
Reading up on dementia
In Wales, people living with dementia, and their carers, are being offered fiction as well as self-help books to help them manage…
Expansion of social prescribing promised in loneliness strategy
Arts Council England has been instructed to fund arts and health projects and share best practice.
Culture needs a ‘5-a-day’ campaign, MPs hear
A committee investigating the positive impact of culture and sport on mental and physical health heard that a lack of funding and…
A proud partner of health
A popular dance-based falls prevention programme offers effective treatment on the NHS, with a growing network of local groups hel…
Creative ageing: a flourishing field
There has been a dramatic expansion in the number of organisations supporting arts activities by and for older people in the UK &#…
Parlour games
When a shabby Victorian hall in Greenwich opened its doors to the public several years ago, no one could have predicted how import…
A musical partnership for dementia care
Players in Stratford's Orchestra of the Swan are trained by charity Mindsong to provide music sessions in care homes. Sue Pope…
Dancing to South Asian rhythms
Older adults living with chronic health conditions are improving their physical and mental wellbeing through the joy of South Asia…
Research identifies ‘active ingredients’ in arts and health interventions
A new report aims to improve the way arts interventions are designed and measured and pave the way for further research.
Embedding the arts in healthcare
Clinical psychologist Katherine Taylor explains how Greater Manchester is putting the arts at the heart of its mental health strat…
Tackling isolation in tower blocks
A project run by the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and a housing provider started with cultural visits and ended with a ful…
The circus comes to hospital
A circus artist helped older people and children develop their confidence and communicaton skills in workshops at Guy’s and…
Government to boost charities’ role in public services
A new Civil Society Strategy accepts that “Government alone cannot solve the complex challenges facing society”.
Cultural value research hub backed by 5-year funding
The research centre will aim to “pre-empt the needless wheel-spinning, data-churning and combative cross-talking that has ch…
Doctors supported to prescribe arts through new £4.5m scheme
Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s initiative aims to reach tens of thousands of people across England.
Dance key to tackling obesity in primary schools, says Ofsted
The subject is seen as a useful way of encouraging children to engage with physical activity, even if they do not like competitive…
A place of sanctuary
Bolton's Octagon Theatre offers refugees and asylum seekers a warm welcome and opportunities to share their experiences. Debor…
Exploring mental health through dance
A project in three Manchester secondary schools engaged students in discussions about mental health and enabled them to develop th…
