Bradford 2025 Unveils Ground-breaking Creative Health Programme
We are excited to announce that Bradford District and Craven Mind will be partnering with […]
Bradford 2025 Unveils Ground-breaking Creative Health Programme
We are excited to announce that Bradford District and Craven Mind will be partnering with Bradford 2025 and other healthcare providers to launch a new Creative Health Programme.
As Bradford approaches its historic year as the UK City of Culture 2025, a ground-breaking new initiative is taking centre stage – Bradford 2025’s Creative Health programme. This visionary project is more than a celebration of the district’s rich cultural heritage; it’s a commitment to driving lasting, transformative change that will have a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities for years to come.
Bradford is currently the fifth most income-deprived district in England, facing significant challenges that include widespread economic inequality, health disparities, and barriers to social mobility*. As part of its mission to tackle these issues head-on, Bradford 2025 is leveraging the power of culture and creativity to address some of the city’s most pressing health and social challenges.
In partnership with local healthcare providers, including the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, The VCS Alliance and Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Bradford 2025’s Creative Health programme will take an innovative approach to improving mental and physical wellbeing in the district’s most disadvantaged communities, through culture and creativity.
This programme is designed to target priority groups identified by the Bradford District & Craven Health & Care Partnership, to reduce health inequalities in the following groups; those with long-term health conditions, people living with dementia, those with severe mental health conditions, refugees and asylum seekers, Gypsy and traveller communities, and people experiencing homelessness. By integrating creative practices—such as music, drama, and visual arts—into healthcare settings, this programme offers new, holistic ways to support physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Helen Davey, CEO of Bradford District and Craven Mind share her thoughts on the programme:
This is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle the stigma around mental health. Through the lens of the vibrant culture and arts scene across Bradford we will broaden and strengthen the mental wellbeing support available to people in our communities.
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 commented:
Bradford 2025’s Creative Health programme demonstrates the vital role arts and culture play in enriching our well-being. We aim to inspire healthier, more resilient communities by showing how creativity can bring people together and support personal and collective health.
What is the Creative Health Programme?
The Creative Health programme encompasses a variety of initiatives, including large-scale public art projects, targeted social prescribing financial awards, and community outreach.
Key components include:
Social Prescribing Awards: Bradford 2025 is offering two tiers of support for arts-led health initiatives in 2025, with 18 awards of up to £6,000 and 8 awards of up to £30,000 available. Find out more and apply for funding here.
Community of Practice: Bradford 2025 will establish a collaborative initiative bringing together local artists, healthcare professionals, academics, community leaders, and voluntary sector organisations. The Community of Practice will focus on supporting connections, building capacity, and driving innovation in Creative Health by encouraging cross-sector collaboration.
Healthy Minds Partnership: Expanding access to culture by training 100 creatives to work effectively in mental health settings, as well as establishing an access fund to support a buddy scheme, travel assistance, and accessible sessions within the Bradford 2025 events programme for people living with severe or complex mental health.
Projects in the current Bradford 2025 programme which champion Creative Health and its impact include:
Transforming Penistone Hill Country Park into an open-air gallery with sculptures and a sound walk, Wild Uplands connects people to nature, reduces stress, and promotes physical activity through art in the outdoors.
This interactive cookbook project celebrates Bradford’s cultural heritage through recipes and personal stories, encouraging social connections, promoting healthy eating habits, and reducing isolation.
Featuring 25 walks showcasing Bradford’s cultural and natural heritage, this project encourages physical activity through walking, promoting mental relaxation, reducing stress, and supporting a deeper connection with Bradford’s heritage.
PLAY provides creative and joyful opportunities for children and families to develop physical coordination, motor skills, and emotional resilience while strengthening family bonds through imaginative activities.
Bradford’s year as 2025 UK City of Culture
2025 set to be one that celebrates the city’s diversity and creativity, while also laying the foundations for a healthier, more connected future. Through its Creative Health programme Bradford 2025 is not only celebrating culture through a year-long events programme, but also addressing the urgent need for greater equity in health outcomes and creating a blueprint for the future of health and wellbeing in communities across the city.
For more information on how to get involved, visit www.bradford2025.co.uk.
Supporting people across the region
Last year, Bradford District and Craven Mind supported 17,176 people through 53,523 interventions, including wellbeing groups; crisis support; one-to-one support; befriending support; drop-ins at cafes throughout the district and more. Read our latest Impact Report for an overview of the support provided through 2023-24.
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Help us to reach more people in the year head; Support us.
Posted on: 3rd December 2024
