An interactive exhibition at the Museum of Croydon is showcasing how creative activities are being used to tackle loneliness, improve mental health, and build confidence across the borough. The display, which runs until 22 August, highlights dozens of community projects funded by Croydon Council as part of a wider push to integrate arts and culture into health and social care.
National Recognition for Croydon's Approach
The exhibition coincides with Croydon Council being selected for the National Centre for Creative Health's Creative Health Leads Programme. South West London Integrated Care System was chosen to participate in this initiative, which is funded by Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation. Croydon Council will lead the programme's delivery across the region, working with the NHS, local authorities, and community organisations.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry said creative health offers "practical, preventative support that helps people tackle loneliness, improve mental health, build confidence, recover, connect with others and live healthier lives."
Sixty Projects Across the Borough
Since 2025, the council has funded more than 60 creative health projects. The exhibition features examples including "The Art of Wellbeing in Nature" run by Good Food Matters, "Let's Move" sessions for new parents, music production workshops at White Hut Studios, and the "Thrive Choir" organised by Music Relief Foundation.
These programmes span different art forms and community settings, from outdoor nature activities to indoor music sessions. The common thread is using creative participation to support physical and mental wellbeing.
What the Exhibition Offers
Visitors to the Museum of Croydon, located within the Croydon Clocktower, can explore the interactive display until 22 August. The exhibition provides information about current projects and how residents can get involved in creative health activities across the borough.
The timing aligns with growing recognition that community-based cultural activities can play a significant role in public health, particularly in supporting people who might not engage with traditional health services.
Local Impact and Future Plans
The council's involvement in the national programme signals a long-term commitment to creative health approaches. By partnering with the NHS and other statutory bodies, Croydon is positioning arts and culture as core components of community wellbeing rather than optional extras.
Residents interested in participating in creative health programmes can find more information through Croydon Council's website or by visiting the exhibition at the Museum of Croydon.