From the Creative Well is a monthly, digital editorial publication dedicated to creative health and community wellbeing. Through interviews and case studies, we investigate how creative health practitioners across the UK, primarily in Dorset, deliver projects, navigate challenges, and sustain their creative health practice.
Creative health is defined by the National Centre for Creative Health as any “creative activities and approaches which have benefits for our health and wellbeing”, such as music, dance, art, crafts, writing, gardening, co-production, and many more. Creative health can be preventative, a part of a treatment plan, or help promote healthy behaviour.
Due to the growing focus on how creative health impacts our wellbeing, it is becoming more widespread in the UK and the NHS, with practitioners working in a wide range of sectors, including hospitals, education, cultural organisations, care settings, administration, fundraising, et cetera. That being said, the field of creative health could still benefit from further research, funding, and training opportunities. From the Creative Well collects valuable insight from professionals and will hopefully support the growth of creative health in the UK.
About Melissa O. Dehn
Melissa is a writer and editor. She works as a writing workshop facilitator assistant and academic support worker, and has a keen interest in creative health and learning from and about others.
She was born in Denmark, and came to the UK in 2022 to undertake an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at Bournemouth University. She has always loved exploring her creative side and believes that creativity improves people’s wellbeing, confidence, and ability to connect with others.
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