Creative Café – Heritage and Wellbeing

The importance of creative health is receiving critical and political attention, particularly locally, with Greater Manchester committed to becoming the first creative health city region [gmintegratedcare.org.uk].

Research demonstrates the social and economic value of using creativity, arts, and heritage to enrich people’s lives. Whilst the recording and quantifying of these benefits is relatively recent, practitioners in the arts and heritage have implicitly understood the wider benefits to society of their work for many years.

At this Creative Café, we will hear a series of short ‘lightning talks’ from practitioners and researchers. Librarians and archivists from Manchester’s Archives+ partnership, who have directly and indirectly contributed to projects enhancing well-being will be sharing their experiences.

University of Manchester researcher Dr Erin Beeston, who is creating a heritage and wellbeing toolkit for older people for use in community and care settings for Manchester Histories, and Dr Angela Whitecross, who has worked on community oral history projects including ‘NHS at 70’ and ‘Voices of Covid’ will discuss their projects.

We also hear perspectives from Manchester Histories CEO, Karen Shannon, who is developing a heritage and well-being focus for the charity in Manchester Histories Hub. Julie McCarthy, the region’s strategic lead for creative health, will explain the policy context and current work embedding creative health into public health in Greater Manchester.

There will be a discussion across the panel with the audience exploring these projects further, as well as a chance to explore pilot wellbeing activities with Manchester Histories and the Archives+ partners. The Creative Café format includes an informal lunch and networking opportunities.

All are welcome to this event, it may be of special interest to researchers in creative health, those working in heritage, the arts, health, or social care, as well as members of the public.

Dr Erin Beeston’s research work has been made possible through funding from The Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), which supports knowledge exchange between higher education providers and external partners to benefit society, Manchester City Council, and Manchester Histories.

Register:

This event is free and open to anyone. As catering is provided we ask you to ensure you can come before registering. If your plans change and you are no longer able to attend, we ask that you update your registration status.

Register via Eventbrite HERE