News | Friday, 8th March 2019

Arts and wellbeing expertise leads global healthcare event

‘Manchester Declaration’ a vision for city’s arts and wellbeing approach

Arts for health projects across Greater Manchester were brought before healthcare professionals
Arts for health projects across Greater Manchester were brought before healthcare professionals

The compelling link between arts and improved health and wellbeing has been brought before clinicians, academics and policymakers from across the world, by a Manchester Metropolitan academic.

Dr Clive Parkinson, Director of Arts for Health at the University, brought experts to Manchester to hear about new approaches to health and social care delivery at the inaugural World Healthcare Congress Europe (March 5-7),

The Congress also saw Dr Parkinson launch the ‘Manchester Declaration’ – a vision statement for how Greater Manchester becomes a “city region where arts and culture are seen as central to the wellbeing of its diverse residents and workforce, a global leader exemplifying the very best in arts, health and social change”. Further projects are set to be announced over coming weeks.

Arts for Health is the longest established unit of its type internationally, with Greater Manchester described as the “wellspring” of the arts and health movement in a national 2017 report into how arts can keep us well, aid recovery and support longer lives better lived.  

World Healthcare Congress Europe delegates discussed how arts can stage positive interventions in big public health challenges, including ageing, healthy cities and mental health, using examples of projects working successfully in Greater Manchester.

Dr Parkinson said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for Greater Manchester to shine a light on the incredible work taking place across its ten districts and where the city region is leading the agenda in reimagining 21st Century health and social care.

“We are beginning to better understand some of the factors that underpin people’s health across the life course. Culture and the arts have a very real part to play in assets-based healthcare. The Manchester Declaration offers us a collective voice to really begin to understand the impact and reach of the arts in everyone’s lives.”

Speakers at the World Healthcare Congress included Lord Howarth of Newport, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing and Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also appeared at the event.

Individual arts and health projects were also be showcased at the event, including Portraits of Recovery, an arts organisation which explores the role of culture and the arts in the lives of people affected by substance misuse. The organisation inspired by the Recoverist Manifesto, authored by Dr Parkinson in 2014.

“We are beginning to better understand some of the factors that underpin people’s health across the life course. Culture and the arts have a very real part to play in assets-based healthcare. The Manchester Declaration offers us a collective voice to really begin to understand the impact and reach of the arts in everyone’s lives.”

Arts for Health works closely with national and regional partners to deliver research and support arts and health projects, and to influence policy in the field.  

Dr Parkinson has worked with Esme Ward, Director of Manchester Museum, on the ‘Arts for health and social change’ programme of the World Health Congress Europe.

The event draws representatives from hospitals, health services, pharmaceutical, medical device and biotech companies, academia and government agencies.

They discussed the political, social and financial challenges affecting health and healthcare services, and how innovation in service delivery could have a significant impact on health outcomes and financial sustainability.

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