Applications have opened for culture and community groups to apply for a grant to host events and activities this summer that focus on creative wellbeing across the arts, culture and heritage.

Building on the success of Croydon’s year as London Borough of Culture, the council is creating a legacy of cultural wellbeing through the Croydon Loves You programme, which aims to tackle health inequalities. These are inequalities which are avoidable, unfair and include systematic differences in health between different groups of people.

Croydon voluntary, community, faith and small arts and culture organisations are invited to explore the relationship between culture and wellbeing for those experiencing health inequalities.

These activities could be anything from wellbeing nature walks in Croydon’s parks and green spaces, including accessible walks for people who are blind or have visual impairments, to group art activities, cultural storytelling events, singing together, and educational cooking and food sharing projects.

The programme started in January, when the council began the Croydon Loves You programme as part of This is Croydon, to support communities and voluntary organisations to run events and projects that were focused on creative wellbeing.

Croydon Loves You will consider a small number of grants up to £5,000 each. The deadline for applications for funding is 2 August, and the event or project must be completed by 24 September 2024. The funds can support elements of pre-existing creative events and activities, such as improving access for Deaf and disabled participants. For more information, visit www.culturecroydon.com/news

“With Croydon Loves You summer grants, we’re supporting tackling health inequalities, while celebrating our borough’s positive cultural offer, as demonstrated through our year as London Borough of Culture. This initiative will continue our strong partnership with community and local groups, as well as creating a legacy of creative wellbeing in our borough.

“We hope to see many groups applying for innovative and exciting projects that bring people together, as a creative and united community, over this summer.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon