Creative public health programme

Structure

Our proposed approach is based upon the literature and findings from policy developments which can be summarised by two reports:

  • World Health Organisation health evidence network synthesis report
  • the UCL Arts and Health Research Group

These groups have identified the value and purpose of arts, cultural and heritage intervention on health. But they call upon future work to be done to explore the challenges, opportunities, and effects of implementing effective policy within the space of arts, culture, heritage, and public health.

We envision Birmingham City Council Public Health being a leader within this space. To do this we will build a comprehensive programme of activity that is inquisitive and committed to investing in creative health and helps us to understand whether approaches are effective in improving public health.

Arts and culture are often merged, as both sectors are similar and often the lines are blurred. Within this sphere, heritage is often forgotten.

We propose to create two distinctive workstreams which will enable us to explore deeper the specifics of arts, culture and heritage, rather than creating a homogenous group.

This proposal will allow us to develop richer evidence base on the value of each area and how public health interventions and approaches align.

These workstreams are:

  • arts, culture and public health
  • heritage and public health

With the following areas of action:

  • evidence and impact
  • cross-sector collaboration
  • skills and development
  • diversity, inclusion, and inequalities

This approach was taken as workstreams are based upon the work conducted by the Royal Society of Public Health, University College London, and the MARCH Network.

These approaches summarise an asset-based approach to health, such as the resources, skills and knowledge of:

  • individuals
  • community and voluntary associations
  • public and private organisations
  • physical environment - which includes:
    • libraries
    • writing groups
    • archives
    • gardens
    • exercise classes
    • sporting events
    • volunteering and charitable groups,
    • community organisations - such as community-based services
    • religious groups

This approach was also championed by the National Academy for Social Prescribing .

Within each workstream there will be four priority action areas, these priority areas of action are based upon the aims, objectives, vision and values outlined for the creative public health programme. They will ensure we achieve and stay aligned with our proposals.

Page last updated: 5 January 2024

rating button