Using the arts to improve people's health - Northumberland aims to take the lead on new initiatives

The newly refurbished Alnwick Playhouse is one of Northumberland's key arts assets

This is one of four recommendations to come out of the latest annual report by director of public health, Liz Morgan.

The Creative Health document, which was discussed by Northumberland County Council’s health and wellbeing board on August 13, explores improving health and wellbeing through the arts.

“I really think we’re pushing at an open door to become a beacon nationally, bringing together the arts and health,” Ms Morgan said.

The supporting report explained that ‘engagement in the arts can support people to live healthy lives’, ‘can aid recovery from illness’, ‘can help meet some of the major challenges facing health and social care such as ageing, long-term conditions, loneliness and mental health’ and that ‘investment in the arts can help reduce the financial cost to the NHS and social care’.

The annual report itself highlights supporting evidence from both an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing inquiry in 2017 and a World Health Organisation report from last year.

Cllr Cath Homer, the cabinet member for art and culture, said: “We have got some really excellent case studies in Northumberland, with work that’s been going on for some time now, for example, the Bait project in south-east Northumberland, which gives us the opportunity to showcase real outcomes and the impact on physical and mental health and general wellbeing.”

The four recommendations are to promote and advocate for the arts as a key element of providing personalised care to improve health and wellbeing; to provide professional development for staff in the health, care and arts sectors; for Northumberland to take a lead role in the development of a North East creative health hub; and for all partners to continue to work together to make art as inclusive as possible and address inequalities.

Cllr Susan Dungworth, the leader of the opposition Labour group, said: “I would love to see Northumberland lead the way in setting up a hub.

“Lots of people don’t necessarily just use resources in their own local-authority area, so getting that message out and sharing those resources would be really helpful.”

However, in a reference to the current row at the council, which has seen the chief executive go on a ‘period of extended leave’ and two cabinet members resign, she added: “I do not know at the moment if Northumberland is in a position or has the capacity to lead on this.

“I am aware we don’t have the portfolio holders for adult services or children’s services on the call this morning, we don’t have the council leader and we don’t have the chief executive or acting chief executive.

“I would suggest that maybe we stabilise ourselves first before we look at trying to lead on a regional level.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.