Creative Health Network
A Collaborative Approach to Arts and Health Across Northern Ireland
The Creative Health Network is an innovative, cross-sector initiative founded to connect health professionals, artists, and community leaders across Northern Ireland.
Arts Care is proud to be a co-founder and major partner in this network, which leverages the powerful connection between creativity and wellbeing to address key health and social challenges.
Together, the Network strives for a healthier, more inclusive society by integrating the arts into health and social care.
Who Are Creative Health Network
The Creative Health Network brings together a diverse and passionate community of members, including:
Health Sector Professionals
Doctors, therapists, and health and social care leads
Artists & Cultural Leaders
From organisations like Arts Care, The Playhouse, and the Ulster Orchestra
Community Organisations
Including Healthy Living Centres and cultural institutions across Northern Ireland
Academic & Research Experts
From Queen’s University, Ulster University, and beyond
By uniting these perspectives, the Network fosters holistic well-being and aims to inspire lasting change across Northern Ireland’s communities.
Mission & Vision
The Creative Health Network works toward an inclusive, interconnected model for health and well-being that prioritises:
Enhanced Quality of Life
Through creative health initiatives accessible to all
Improved Health Outcomes
Addressing social determinants and supporting mental and physical well-being
Strengthened Health Services
Alleviating pressures on the NHS, enriching patient care, and boosting morale
Objectives
As a collective, the Creative Health Network is focused on achieving key objectives:
Building Connectivity
Strengthening relationships across sectors to drive collaboration, raise awareness, and foster resource sharing.
Unified Advocacy
Forming a cohesive voice to champion the value of arts in health, while liaising with commissioners, funders, and policy makers.
Improving Efficiency
Aligning efforts across members to reduce duplication and meet the needs of diverse communities more effectively.
Securing and Sharing Funding
Developing joint funding applications and pooling resources to attract additional support to Northern Ireland.
Promoting Best Practice
Disseminating best practices and contributing to the growing evidence base for creative health interventions.
How They Work
The Creative Health Network is a deliberately non-hierarchical, collaborative movement, guided by the principles of the Better Way Network:
Relational & Collaborative
Building partnerships based on trust, respect, and shared vision.
Asset-Based Approach
Focusing on members’ unique strengths and areas of expertise.
Flexible & Strategic
Embracing adaptability to ensure sustainable, long-term impact.
Regular meetings and community events enable members to work together with regional health and cultural leaders, aligning creative health efforts with broader local and national health strategies.
Get Involved
The Creative Health Network welcomes all who are passionate about the transformative role of the arts in health. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, artist, community leader, or advocate, there’s a place for you in this dynamic network.
