Arts, Health, Action! A Creative Prescription

Are you using the arts to support health and wellbeing – or want to be? This engaging, practical workshop is for:

• Those already delivering Arts in Health work, looking to strengthen impact and partnerships
• Those curious or just starting out, seeking ideas, inspiration and connections
• Those who’ve realised, "we’re already doing this… we just want to do it better!"

And for commissioners and system leaders – this is an invitation to explore a different way of who and what you commission

The event is free to attend, with refreshment breaks and lunch provided. Press the ‘Reserve a Spot’ button now.

What’s in the workshop?

We’ll explore how creativity is already making a difference—especially for people experiencing mental ill health, isolation, or who don’t engage with traditional services.

Hosted by Adrian Smith, Neighbourhood Lead for Trafford North and West areas, and Lucy Geddes, CEO of String of Hearts. Alongside the main workshop, you’ll find local projects and creative examples displayed throughout the venue – inviting you to explore, listen and be inspired.

Participants include Helen Gollins, Director of Public Health in Trafford, Julie McCarthy, strategic lead for Creative Health at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, Dr Elaine Ryan-McNeill, National Centre for Creative Health and Liverpool John Moores University, Maria Bota, Director of Cultural Transformation at Trafford and voices from Breathchamps, Collaborative Women, English National Opera, Gorse Hill Studios, More Than A Label, Seed Studios, String of Hearts, Trafford Rape Crisis, Venture Arts, WETA and more.

Sessions include:

• Showcase sessions and creativity in action: Hear from local and regional projects using creative approaches to build confidence, reduce loneliness and support recovery.
• Practical tools & tips: Learn ‘how this works’ and how to evaluate work .
• Peer learning: Share challenges and solutions with others walking the same path.
• Network-building: Make new connections with local practitioners, neighbourhood teams, health workers, and creatives.
• Action planning: Leave with a personalised or organisational plan for what to do next.

By the end of the day, you’ll leave with:

• Clear ideas on how to embed arts-based approaches into your work.
• Tools to evaluate and measure impact.
• A stronger network to support your next steps.
• More confidence in using creativity to support health and wellbeing.

Getting here

There are many transport options to get to the venue including good public transport.

The address is: Waterside, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Trafford M33 7ZF. For Sat Navs we would recommend you use the postcode of the nearest car park, Q Park, M33 2AE.

For detailed information about https://watersidearts.org/visit/getting-here/

Organisers

The workshop is organised by Trafford Local Care Organisation, Trafford Council, Trafford Community, Trafford Community Collective and VCFSE Organisations including String of Hearts and Gorse Hill Studios.