The Arts Council England has launched a new informative website filled with blogs, articles, downloadable publications and case studies.

Through the Creative Case the Arts Council is setting out and inviting the arts sector to engage with a new and different approach to diversity and equality in the arts, which we are calling the Creative Case.

The website will also provide a live-stream to the Creative Case Symposium conference will be for those who cannot make it to Manchester.

For more information tweet: @creativecase

Or visit: www.creativecase.org.uk

LAHF has been working to develop the resources section on the national website www.cultureandwellbeing.org.uk

This comprehensive database now holds a wide range of resources including press coverage and policy documents as well as research into the impact of the arts on wellbeing. The resources section of the site is searchable and we are continuing to update it with new evidence. The site is free and to use.

The LAHF are always open to suggestions and feedback so do contact research@lahf.org.uk with any comments on the site and get in touch if you have more material they can include.

We thought you would be interested to read the South West Change4Life Project Summary Report.  It is an overview of a project which was funded by a grant from the Department of Health and illustrates how:  Read more... (260 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)

• four mass participation dance projects got more than 10,000 people engaged in dance
• a SPAR store embraced Change4Life, getting  local children ‘W(Rapping) their Way to a Healthier Future’
• local activity run by PCTs and community groups is helping to promote the Change4Life messages and behaviours
• cross-organisation partnership working is one of the positive outcomes of the project – a key part of its legacy.

This new guide from CES’ National Performance Programme is essential reading for third sector organisations that need to be able to show the difference they make and improve their performance.

Designed as a practical guide it will help organisations to develop their monitoring and evaluation approach and improve their effectiveness on a limited budget.

With increasing pressure on organisations to prove their worth, this guide is not to be missed if you need help demonstrating the difference your services make to people’s lives.

Visit the Charities evaluation services website to download the  free guide.

praXis is working with partners from across the country to develop national co-ordination in the field of arts and health. This work is being funded by Arts Council England.  Regional partner organisations are working with the London Arts in Health Forum to investigate the possibility of creating a new National Forum. This Forum would work to help and support those working in arts and health, and encourage the health service and other providers to support work in this area.  Read more... (128 words, estimated 31 secs reading time)

The Department of Health has published No health without mental health: a cross-Government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages together with a range of supporting documents.

The strategy sets out six shared objectives to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the nation, and to improve outcomes for people with mental health problems through high quality services. It has the stated aim of achieving parity of esteem between physical and mental health. The interconnections between mental health, housing, employment, and the criminal justice system are stressed.  Read more... (176 words, estimated 42 secs reading time)

Foundation for Community Dance has published a new handbook about Dance, health and wellbeing, by Miranda Tufnell. This handbook fuses practitioner expertise with a rich collection of case studies, a balance between background and context with lived experience and practical guidance. Simply, a must have for anyone leading dance in health or care settings.
Priced from £15 each, the handbooks are available to buy online from www.communitydance.org.uk/shop  Read more... (206 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

Early intervention is about working with children and their parents in their first three years of life to make a difference to child development and prevent serious emotional, social and educational problems later on. Last year Graham Allen MP was tasked with reviewing this agenda and has just published a report which suggests how it can be developed and supported.

Why is it important for cultural learning?

We know all types of cultural learning have significant impacts on children’s health and wellbeing. Using cultural interventions with families can be a short cut to improving the social and emotional foundations for children, a key aim identified in the report.  Read more... (549 words, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)

Improving Health and Wellbeing in Staffordshire: People and Places

The Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy (2010 – 2013) outlines Staffordshire’s three year vision for improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.  It is being led and implemented by a Health & Wellbeing Board who are committed to improving health and wellbeing, especially amongst those groups, places and communities, which have the worst health outcomes.

The Health & Wellbeing Board will drive the strategy forward and consists of representatives from all the District and Borough local authorities in Staffordshire (ie.  Lichfield DC, Cannock Chase DC, Stafford BC, Staffordshire Moorlands DC, Newcastle-under-Lyme BC, South Staffordshire Council, East Staffordshire BC, Tamworth BC).  Read more... (119 words, estimated 29 secs reading time)

Walsall Council has been involved in the development of an accessible guide for practitioners working for councils and public health organisations who have been given the task of evaluating the impact of a project or initiative. However the guide could also be of enormous benefit to artist practitioners in their evaluation processes.

The guide has been produced for Local Government Improvement and Development (formerly the IDeA) by Valerie Garrow, Associate Director at the Institute for Employment Studies. It takes the reader through the process of designing, implementing and disseminating an impact assessment and will also provide information on the range of tools and help that is available. It aims to be a practical guide, helping to design and conduct effective and appropriate impact assessment.  Read more... (131 words, estimated 31 secs reading time)