Arts Care believes in the benefits of creativity to well-being, making all forms of art accessible to patients, clients, residents and staff in health, social and community care settings.
Arts Care advocates for the power of the arts and their benefits to enhance health and well-being.
Benefits
Improved levels of health and well-being as a result of engaging in the arts whilst availing of, visiting or working in health and social care facilities
Reduction in levels of stress and anxiety in service users and staff
Reduction in lengths of stay for service users and can also reduce the use of medication
Increased levels of motivation in healthcare staff in the workplace
Imagination, creativity and self-expression can support the healing process as well as the end-of-life experiences
Increase in physical and cognitive functioning
Facilitates the right to a cultural life whilst availing of healthcare services or working in healthcare environments, making high quality arts accessible to all
Enhanced relationships between service users and healthcare staff participating together in an arts activity
Enhanced professional development through arts engagement training for healthcare staff and students
Transforms clinical environments into ‘cared for spaces’ delivering an improved environment and improved working conditions for staff
Increases public awareness around health and mental health in a positive and engaging way
Delivers increased service user and carer satisfaction
The World Health Organization defined “health” as “a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1946).
Further information in relation to the importance of Arts in Health is availble at these websites:
Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Well-being
Evaluation of the Arts and Health Coordinator Capacity Building Programme
