Bradford 2025 launches its new Creative Health programme
Published November 27, 2024
This is our vision to transform health, wellbeing and culture across the district
Setting a new standard for how the arts can tackle health inequalities and improve well-being across the UK.
As Bradford approaches its historic year as the UK City of Culture 2025, a groundbreaking new initiative is taking centre stage – Bradford 2025’s Creative Health programme. This visionary project is more than a celebration of the district’s rich cultural heritage; it’s a commitment to driving lasting, transformative change that will have a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities for years to come.
Bradford is currently the fifth most income-deprived district in England, facing significant challenges that include widespread economic inequality, health disparities, and barriers to social mobility. As part of its mission to tackle these issues head-on, Bradford 2025 is leveraging the power of culture and creativity to address some of the city’s most pressing health and social challenges.
In partnership with local healthcare providers, including the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, Bradford District & Craven MIND, The VCS Alliance (Voluntary and Community Sector) and Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Bradford 2025’s Creative Health programme will take an innovative approach to improving mental and physical wellbeing in the district’s most disadvantaged communities, through culture and creativity.
This programme is designed to target priority groups identified by the Bradford District & Craven Health & Care Partnership, to reduce health inequalities in the following groups; those with long-term health conditions, people living with dementia, those with severe mental health conditions, refugees and asylum seekers, Gypsy and traveller communities, and people experiencing homelessness. By integrating creative practices—such as music, drama, and visual arts—into healthcare settings, this programme offers new, holistic ways to support physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
The Creative Health programme encompasses a variety of initiatives, including large-scale public art projects, targeted social prescribing financial awards, and community outreach. Key components include:
-
Social Prescribing Awards
Bradford 2025 is offering two tiers of support for arts-led health initiatives in 2025, with 18 awards of up to £6,000 and 8 awards of up to £30,000 available.
-
Community of Practice
Bradford 2025 will establish a collaborative initiative bringing together local artists, healthcare professionals, academics, community leaders, and voluntary sector organisations. The Community of Practice will focus on supporting connections, building capacity, and driving innovation in Creative Health by encouraging cross-sector collaboration.
-
Healthy Minds Partnership
Expanding access to culture by training 100 creatives to work effectively in mental health settings, as well as establishing an access fund to support a buddy scheme, travel assistance, and accessible sessions within the Bradford 2025 events programme for people living with severe or complex mental health.
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 commented: “Bradford 2025’s Creative Health programme demonstrates the vital role arts and culture play in enriching our well-being. We aim to inspire healthier, more resilient communities by showing how creativity can bring people together and support personal and collective health.”
Tim Howells, Head of Public Health, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council said: “Bradford 2025 presents a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the district, and to contribute towards improving the health and wellbeing of residents. The Creative Health programme provides a platform to ensure that reducing health inequalities is at the heart of City of Culture and provides a unique opportunity to use the medium of arts and culture to tackle some of our most pervasive health inequalities. We are exciting to be working with the partnership to help support the health of residents across the district”
Helen Davey, CEO of Bradford District and Craven Mind states: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle the stigma around mental health. Through the lens of the vibrant culture and arts scene across Bradfordwe will broaden and strengthen the mental wellbeing support available to people in our communities.”
Collette Brauns, Senior Head of Living Well, for Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership adds: “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Bradford 2025 on this exciting new Creative Health programme. Evidence shows that arts and culture can have such a positive impact on our wellbeing, this includes reducing stress levels and helping us feel good about ourselves. Getting creative could involve anything from gardening, dancing, creative writing, singing or being out in nature, all of which prevents ill health and helps us live for longer. Creative health approaches can also support people to manage long terms conditions like respiratory illnesses and dementia and help us to recover from operations. This new programme is going to bring together creatives and health professionals from across the District and it will be a fantastic opportunity for Bradford District and Craven to lead the way in Creative Health.”
Hollie Smith-Charles, Director, Creative Health and Change, Arts Council England said: “I’m delighted that social prescribing is being placed at the heart of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s work through their Creative Health programme. Taking part in creative and cultural activities has a transformative impact on our health and wellbeing. Creative health plays a significant role in multiple areas of society from tackling loneliness, reducing health inequalities, supporting mental health, supporting people to age well and support for managing long-term conditions. It is great to see the power of a place based approach to creative health being championed as part of the UK City of Culture. I look forward to seeing how communities from across the district benefit from the programme.”
Projects in the current Bradford 2025 programme which champion Creative Health and its impact include:
-
Wild Uplands
Transforming Penistone Hill Country Park into an open-air gallery with sculptures and a sound walk, Wild Uplands connects people to nature, reduces stress, and promotes physical activity through art in the outdoors. Find out more
-
Meet Our Mothers
This interactive cookbook project celebrates Bradford’s cultural heritage through recipes and personal stories, encouraging social connections, promoting healthy eating habits, and reducing isolation. Find out more
-
Bradford on Foot
Featuring 25 walks showcasing Bradford’s cultural and natural heritage, this project encourages physical activity through walking, promoting mental relaxation, reducing stress, and supporting a deeper connection with Bradford’s heritage. Find out more
-
PLAY
PLAY provides creative and joyful opportunities for children and families to develop physical coordination, motor skills, and emotional resilience while strengthening family bonds through imaginative activities. Find out more
Bradford’s year as 2025 UK City of Culture is set to be one that celebrates the city’s diversity and creativity, while also laying the foundations for a healthier, more connected future. Through its Creative Health programme Bradford 2025 is not only celebrating culture through a year-long events programme, but also addressing the urgent need for greater equity in health outcomes and creating a blueprint for the future of health and wellbeing in communities across the city.