Community groups, arts and cultural organisations will deliver uplifting creative arts-based projects to reduce health inequalities and benefit residents’ health and wellbeing.

Croydon Council has funded 14 groups to offer wide ranging sessions to support people who may experience barriers to taking part in such projects. They will encourage people to join in to learn new skills, have fun, build confidence and feel better.

This includes creative workshops for adults with learning disabilities, therapeutic poetry for people using mental health support services, and creative wellbeing sessions for the LGBTQI+ community.

There are also sessions to help residents who feel isolated and for young people at risk of offending.

The projects received a share of £185,000 from the Council’s Croydon Loves You 2025 grants programme. This is an investment from the local public health grant to reduce health inequalities, improve health outcomes and support residents to have longer, healthier lives.

The Croydon Loves You programme, which started last year, builds on the success of Croydon’s year as London Borough of Culture. It supports communities and voluntary organisations to run events and projects that are focused on creative wellbeing.

This year’s programme, led by the Council’s Creative Health team, aims to demonstrate how beneficial it is for individuals and communities to take part in arts and cultural activities.

Last year’s grant funded 40 projects which saw over 3,000 people take part in activities ranging from steel pan to sewing.

In their latest annual report, Croydon’s Director of Public Health is recommending for everyone to make more time to enjoy activities such as dance, music and crafts to be happier and healthier.

“We are pleased to offer this funding to these groups and organisations who are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities. Residents are telling us about the health benefits from taking part in creative arts and culture activities and our aim is to create more of these opportunities for people to get involved.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

 

Anyone wanting more information can email: CreativeHealth@Croydon.gov.uk

People can also sign up to the Creative Health Network here.