South East London chosen as one of first areas for Creative Health Leads Programme

Six health and care systems across England have been selected to join the first cohort of the Creative Health Leads Programme, a national initiative designed to embed creative health within mainstream health and care.

Building on two years of strong local work, the Creative Health Lead in South East London will help turn creative health from a collection of successful projects into a joined-up, long-term approach that improves people’s health and tackles inequality. Working within the South London Listens team, the role will bring together the NHS, councils, community groups, and arts and heritage organisations to make creativity part of everyday health support — from mental health and social prescribing to neighbourhood-based prevention. The Lead will support culturally relevant programmes shaped by local communities, particularly those who face the greatest barriers to good health, while strengthening partnerships and developing clear ways to measure impact. The aim is to reduce pressure on clinical services, improve wellbeing in the most deprived neighbourhoods, build trust between communities and the health system, and ensure creative health becomes a sustainable and valued part of how South East London supports its residents.

National Centre for Creative Health announces first six systems for Creative Health Leads Programme