Creative health in neighbourhoods: a celebration of innovation and collaboration in Lambeth
On 22 October, Lambeth Council, NHS South East London, and The Bridge at Waterloo hosted a borough-wide event bringing together creative practitioners, health professionals, and community organisations. Attendees had the opportunity to share ideas, build connections, and celebrate the role of creativity in supporting health and wellbeing. They also had the chance to learn about Lambeth’s vision for neighbourhood health and how creative health supports it.
Showcased were four local projects who are using creativity not just as a tool for expression, but also as a catalyst for health, wellbeing, and social connection:
- Singing Mamas, who create a supportive space for women to come together, with or without their children, to connect and recharge through singing.
- The Garden Museum’s Food Learning Social Prescribing Programme, which uses cooking and food education to help people connect socially, reduce isolation, and build confidence, while encouraging healthier eating habits and supporting overall wellbeing.
- Age Exchange at Longfield Hall, a pioneering intergenerational arts initiative for people living with dementia and their carers. Offering advice, information, and creative activities such as art, drama, and games.
- Raw Material’s Building Brighter Futures Partnership, funded by the Maudsley Charity to support young people’s mental health through music and media.
Josepha Reynolds, Director for Lambeth Together’s Neighborhood and Wellbeing Alliance said:
“This event brings together some of the incredible people and projects already passionate about the role of creative arts in health across Lambeth.
“We’ve seen some excellent examples of how this type of initiative is having a huge impact locally, helping people stay well, connected and lead healthier lives. As we continue to develop neighbourhood health services, we recognise it’s vital that we keep communities — and the people and organisations who represent their voices — at the forefront of everything we do.”
Shakyrah, compering the event from Lambeth Council’s Elevate arts education programme, said: “Creative health can support neighbourhood health by bringing people out of the house in a more versatile way. Today has been really incredible, getting to hear about all of the things our community is doing, all the work they’ve put into it, all the dedication, and how these things are intertwined.”
Dr Ben Walters, attending the event from the Badge Cafe said:
“Creativity is vital to supporting neighbourhood health in Lambeth. As someone who lives around the corner in North Lambeth, it’s been a bit of a revelation to me to see how much creative health work is going on right on my doorstep.”
Local librarian Rosella commented:
“It is great to be here, finding out what a lot of people do across Lambeth, London and the UK to help communities and engage with them, and see what we can do to try and better or improve mental health.”
Join the creative health movement
Take a look at the Let’s Talk page on Creative Health and join the conversation!
If you’d like to find out more about South East London Creative Health Networks, please email the Creative Health Lead for South East London Integrated Care Board: Flora.Faith-Kelly@selondonics.nhs.uk
Find out more
Garden Museum Food Learning Social Prescribing Programme
Age Exchange at Longfield Hall – Memory Café
Raw Material – Building Brighter Futures Partnership