creativeEmerge

Training in Creative Health Practice

A new training programme

Starting in September 2024, this 9-month free training programme supported the professional development of a group of 15 artists in the West of England Combined Authority area who would like to work in cultural social prescribing and other arts and health programming. Supported by Arts Council England through the Culture West initiative, we developed a new cohort of commission-ready practitioners who can partner with experienced artists and local partner organisations to deliver creative health activities in the area. 

Watch the Video Read the Evaluation

Who was it for?


We welcomed applications from early career socially-engaged artists, especially those who may be underrepresented in the creative health field. This included those from rural, disadvantaged, or global majority communities; young people, 18-30; people with lived experience such as mental health concerns or disabilities; and those from local grassroots organisations. 


In this programme focused on:

  • Learning the key principles and practices of creative health programmes
  • Developing a capacity to deliver in social prescribing and other health and wellbeing programmes with a variety of community and statutory partners
  • Participating in a supportive and sustainable practitioner peer network for continuous learning and collaborative working
  • Learning how to reflect on your practice with colleagues, partners, and mentors


Programme details

The programme started in September 2024 and ran through May 2025. It consisted of 8 modules, delivered in a 3-hr workshop and a 2-hr community of practice meeting each month. Participants engaged in their own arts and health practice or participated in a shadowing placement. They also received three 1-hour professional mentoring sessions, and participated in personal and collaborative assessments. 

This training was delivered primarily online to support access across the region, with two in-person sessions held in Bristol.

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

Topics covered
  • The aims and practices of creative health delivery, including design principles, using co-production and partnership methods, and evaluation tools
  • Facilitation skills, including group management, supporting positive and appropriate social engagement, and managing challenging/emergent situations
  • Safe and professional practice, including risk assessments and safety protocols, managing health and mental health needs, working with support, managing safeguarding, ethical behaviour 
  • Emotional safety for facilitators, including understanding the mechanisms of emotion work, managing interpersonal boundaries, self-care, and support.
  • Incorporating public health thinking, including social determinants of health/lifestyle/context issues; evidence-based practice; health and social care thinking, expectations and outcomes.
  • Understanding the goals and structures of creative and green social prescribing, including how to develop appropriate programmes, and build delivery relationships
  • Becoming commission-ready: understanding the requirements of commissioners, developing and negotiating commission proposals, and creating appropriate business practices and infrastructure
Module
1 - Introduction to Creative Health
2 - Creativity and Health
3 - Creative Health Programme Design
4 - Facilitation skills in Creative Health
5 - Person Centred Creative Health Approaches
6 - Safe & Professional Practice
7 - Partnership Working for Creative Health
8 - Your Creative Health Practice in the World
Review
Peer Support & Self-organised CoP

The co-producers

The programme was developed and led by a team of industry experts: 
(L-R) Philippa Forsey, formerly of Creativity Works in Radstock, Creative Health specialist Julie Matthews of creativeShift CIC and Dr Julia Puebla Fortier, formerly of Arts & Health South West.  Guest experts were invited to join modules to share their knowledge in specialist subjects.

Julia Puebla Fortier

Formerly Arts & Health South West

Julia led the Creative Health Learning Alliance for Arts & Health South West, which offered collaborative learning workshops for creative health practitioners over 2 years. Her doctoral research focused on the experiences, training and support needs of artists working with people with challenging health and psychosocial conditions. She has expertise in the emotional dimensions of creative health work, participatory evaluation, and co-production approaches.

Philippa Forsey

Formerly Creativity Works

Philippa is experienced in co-creating innovative arts and health solutions within local and regional health and wellbeing agendas. Working with a variety of stakeholders has resulted in successful outcomes for individuals, peer-led groups and community organisations including the NHS, health and social care services, children’s services, education and cultural organisations. As the Creative Wellbeing Service lead for Creativity Works for 20+ years, she managed programmes, events, training, mentoring freelance artists, consultations and fundraising.

Julie Matthews

creativeShift CIC

Julie is cofounder & Director of creativeShift CIC a leading Creative Health organisation in the South West delivering programmes and projects in collaboration with Health, Social Prescribing, Community and Cultural partners. Informed by a background in spatial design and socially engaged arts practice delivery and management, Julie has been at the forefront of Creative Health development and continues to shape the sector through training, mentoring, academic research and consultation. Essentially Julie is a Creative Health Practitioner who delights in the magic of creativity to transform people’s lives for the better.

creativeEmerge is funded by: