A SUCCESSFUL funding bid is set to see further opportunities for initiatives to improve resident health across the borough, Reading Borough Council has said.
Reading Borough Council has teamed up West Berkshire Council, Wokingham Borough Council, the local NHS and the voluntary sector to become one of only six health and care systems in the country to be initially selected for the National Centre for Creative Health’s Creative Health Leads programme.
This is eventually likely to be extended to up to 30 systems.
The programme will provide two-years’ funding for the new role of a Creative Health Lead who will be able to oversee the development of creative health activities in the area.
Funding for the programme has been provided by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation.
It follows a number creative health schemes, including Creative Lives, the Creative Business Hub and CODE urban theatre.
It’s also seen the council work on initiatives with the likes of Create Reading: The Cultural Education Partnership, the Museum of English Rural Life and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Reading).
Part of the new programme funding will enable the Creative Health Lead to assess the impact of such projects.
Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Public Health at the Council, said: “It’s so exciting to be one of the first areas in the country to take part in this project to explore the opportunities presented by the arts and culture to improve health.
“We know that art and culture can make a huge difference to people’s health, whether it’s visual and performing arts, crafts, film, literature, cooking and gardening.
“The new Creative Health Lead will be able to work across our neighbourhoods to better connect arts, culture and health, making creativity part of everyday support for people whether to improve their mental or physical health.”
Dr Nick Broughton, Chief Executive Officer of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West and Frimley Integrated Care Boards, said: “This funding is a welcome step in helping us build on the strong partnership working already happening across Berkshire West.
“Bringing creative health into our neighbourhood teams will give people more ways to stay well and connected, particularly those who don’t always find traditional services easy to access.
“It’s a practical way for us to support communities, ease pressure on services, and make creativity part of everyday health and care.”
