Creative Health Programme Associates confirmed

The National Centre for Creative Health (NCCH) has announced the appointment of seven Creative Health Associates (CHA) and Programme Manager for its Creative Health Associates Programme. 

Funded by Arts Council England (ACE) and delivered by the NCCH in each of the NHS regions across England, the programme aims to embed creative approaches and activities in health and care systems. 

The programme has received one the largest grants ACE has made to a creative health project.

JAYNE HOWARD has been named Programme Manager and will be responsible for supporting the associates through the programme. She is Founding Director of Arts Well CIC, a social enterprise that recognises the intersection between the arts and health and wellbeing.

OLIVIA DEAN, who brings more than 20 years’ experience across the cultural and education sectors, is the CHA for East of England.

CONNI ROSEWARNE, who specialises in creative health, patient experience, and producing arts and music activities for and with cardiorespiratory patients, is London CHA.

Doctor of Creative Health (PhD) JANE HEARST is CHA for the Midlands, while experienced charity and arts leader ALICE THWAITE is CHA for North East and Yorkshire. 

Creative practitioner and project manager ELAINE RYAN-MCNEILL joins the programme as North West CHA alongside PENNY CALVERT as South West CHA. Calvert has over three decades’ experience in public engagement, project development and design and commissioning public art. 

Applications to become CHA for the South East are open until 20 August.

Contracted until September 2024, the associates will work to develop an understanding of NHS priorities and the role of creative health practices in addressing them.

They will also look to improve information exchange and connections between cultural practitioners and health professionals, map current provision and identify gaps and needs in their area.