Croydon is celebrating a major boost for creative health with new funding to deliver more arts, dance and cultural projects to improve residents’ health and wellbeing.

South West London Integrated Care System has been selected for the prestigious National Centre for Creative Health’s (NCCH) Creative Health Leads Programme, funded by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation. The Council will lead the NCCH programme delivery across the region, working closely with the NHS, local authorities, and the voluntary, community, faith and cultural sectors to deliver even more creative health activity for local people.

This announcement coincides with the Council’s release of powerful residents’ stories showcasing how activities like singing, storytelling, dance, music and visual arts are being used to prevent illness, support recovery, and strengthen community connections.

The Council is hosting an inspiring and interactive creative health exhibition from 19 June to 22 August, at the Museum of Croydon. People attending can find out more about how projects are supporting residents. See the Culture Croydon website.

Since 2025, Croydon Council has funded over 60 creative health projects across the borough. Residents’ lives are being transformed through projects such as The Art of Wellbeing in Nature, led by Good Food Matters. They are helping participants reduce isolation and improve mental health through outdoor activities.

Other events included Let’s Move sessions, which supported new parents to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and strengthen bonds between parent and child.

Young people have been benefiting from music production workshops with White Hut Studios which can boost confidence, creativity and a sense of belonging, and the Thrive Choir, led by Music Relief Foundation, helps adults to improve wellbeing and tackle loneliness.

A resident taking part in the choir said: “One of my issues is anxiety and depression. I was on medication when it was really quite challenging. But I think I have become a lot more confident. It’s not just about the singing, it’s about the social aspect, and the feel-good factor. We have a really good time.”

A young person attending an outdoor pupil referral unit project with Tangled Feet, said: “I feel like it’s very freeing. Instead of sitting down in the classroom, or in a small room talking about your feelings, you get to be outside. If you want to move around you can, and if you want to scream you can without feeling the pressures to sit down and speak about everything that’s been going wrong in your life.”

All of these events have been using creative health to reach people in ways traditional services sometimes cannot – something the NCCH funding will ensure even more residents have access to.

“Croydon is a borough full of creativity, talent and community spirit, and this funding is a real vote of confidence in the work we are doing to put residents’ health, wellbeing and quality of life first.

“Creative health is not a nice-to-have. It is practical, preventative support that helps people tackle loneliness, improve mental health, build confidence, recover, connect with others and live healthier lives. It also helps relieve pressure on traditional services by reaching residents earlier and in different ways.

“I am proud that Croydon will be leading this programme across South West London. We have brilliant community groups, faith organisations, cultural partners and voluntary groups already changing lives, and this will help us go further.

“This is about backing Croydon’s communities, supporting families and making sure more residents can benefit from the power of creativity to improve their health and wellbeing.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon