Last month (20 – 26 May) included Creativity and Wellbeing Week – a celebration of the impact that creativity has in helping people to live healthier, happier lives.

We learned about the power of Creative Health at one of our regular LUNCH & LEARN sessions. Michael Cunliffe, creative health strategic manager for the Northumberland County Council and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, gave us an insight into the impact and potential of Creative Health, as well as the opportunity to experience it ourselves in a short draw-along exercise. Please be sure to take a look at the recording, if you haven’t done so already.

Michael shared with us that increasing evidence is showing how arts and creativity can improve people’s lives. A recent cohort study by University College London (UCL) found that:

• Children aged 7 who demonstrated higher levels of ‘creativity’ (as defined by teacher observations) had a 22% lower risk of behavioural instability, 31% lower risk of social and behavioural maladjustment, and 36% lower risk of maladjusted internalising behaviours.
• Children and young people aged 11 to 21 have fewer behavioural issues (e.g. antisocial and criminal behaviour) if they participated in creative group activities, and those aged 12 to 19 were less likely to use substances (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana).
• Adults who took part in creative activities for their mental health reported lower levels of mental distress, higher mental functioning, a greater ability to cope with mental health issues in daily life, and had greater life satisfaction, even when accounting for socio-economic and demographic factors.
• Adults who took part in creative activities in their 50s are 20% less likely to develop a disability, 25% less likely to have chronic pain and 32% less likely to develop depression in their 60s.

Read the summary report here…

Hear it for yourself

To hear from residents themselves about how creativity has made an impact in their lives, take a few minutes to watch one (or more) of these short videos:

• An arts and crafts group in Bishop Auckland has helped people to find connections, reduce their symptoms and prevent relapses in their mental health – https://youtu.be/49n-RxNvjQo?feature=shared (4 minutes).
• A participant describes how learning to make art help support her recovery from self harm – Member Stories – Leanne (youtube.com) (1 minute)
• See how group singing helped patients with COPD to improve their lung health – Sing for your lungs: join a singing group to improve your lung health (youtube.com) (3 minutes)
• Finally, see how creative approaches transformed a car park into a community garden for the benefit of patients and staff – Healthy Happy Places | Garden At The Hub – Shields Health Hub, North Shields (youtube.com) (6 minutes) and learn more about the project here Shields Health Hub Community Garden – Health Innovation NENC

Try it yourself!

Arts and creativity are powerful ways to help everyone, including ourselves. Take this as an opportunity to make some time to ask yourself what you do, used to do, or perhaps always wanted to do creatively and give it a go. Check out the offers at your local library or community hub and if you need a little inspiration at home, here are a few resources:

• If you think poetry is all Wordsworth and Poe, then take a look at Andy Naylor, who makes poetry out of everyday thoughts and feelings – @andynaylorpoems • Instagram photos and videos
• It might be aimed at children, but it is fun for all ages. Why not take twenty minutes to Draw with Rob! Rob Biddulph – YouTube or see how you can make Dr Seuss into something a little more engaging – Dr. Seuss Rap: “Oh, The Thinks You Can Think”. Performance by @jordansimons4 (youtube.com)
• If you’ve always wanted to paint and haven’t heard of Bob Ross, make this the week you spend some time with his calming tones – Essential Ross – YouTube

Thank you to Michael for your time, and inspiring us to get creative!

If you have a creative health improvement story that you would celebrate and share, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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