Evidence & Resources
Evidence, data, case studies and resources to help fundraise for, deliver and evaluate creative health work. If there is something missing that you would find useful, or if you have a source to contribute, please email CreativeHealth@croydon.gov.uk.
Creative Health Evidence Reports
- Creative Health Review: How Policy Can Embrace Creative Health (2023) – This review gathers evidence of the benefits of Creative Health in supporting health and wellbeing of people in the UK (full text here)
- The Impact of Arts and Cultural Engagement on Population Health (2023) – Research findings on the impacts of arts and cultural engagement on health and wellbeing in the UK and US, especially re: children and young people, mental health, and healthy ageing
- What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review (2019) – A review for the World Health Organisation on the evidence of Creative Health from multiple countries
- From loneliness to social connection: Report of the World Health Organisation Commission on Social Connection outlining the role of community-based activities and social prescribing to tackle the current loneliness pandemic
- NICE Guidance Older People: Independence and wellbeing – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for Adult Social Care services recommending the use of group-based creative activities
- The Baring Foundation: Resources – Various reports exploring the uses of participatory arts to support older people and people experiencing mental health challenges in different contexts
- Evidence Summary for Policy: The role of arts in improving health & wellbeing (2020) – A summary, aimed at policy makers, of the ‘grade’ of evidence available for different Creative Health initiatives
- Culture and Heritage Capital: Monetising the Impact of Culture and Heritage on Health and Wellbeing (2024) – A report assessing the potential economic impact of Creative Health on health and wellbeing outcomes
National/Regional Health Sector Reports and Strategies
- Fit for the Future: NHS 10-Year Plan 2025-35 – Government’s plan for the NHS, including an intention to shift towards prevention and community care
- Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England – Lord Darzi’s report on the state of NHS in 2024 and recommendations for the future, including a shift from treatment to prevention, hospital to community and analogue to digital
- SW London NHS Joint Forward Plan (2023-28) – An overview of the NHS’s plan to deliver improved care across SW London’s six boroughs
- SW London Insight from People and Communities – Findings from the SW London health and care system’s engagement with resident representatives in October 2022
Croydon Reports and Data
- Creating a Healthier Croydon, Director of Public Health Report 2024 – Key evidence and recommendations for how Creative Health can support the health and wellbeing of residents
- Croydon Snapshot: The Local Creative Health Landscape – Accompaniment to 2024 DPH report sharing further local Creative Health case studies
- Croydon Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2029 – This strategy explains how Croydon will work together to improve health and wellbeing for everyone over the next five years
- Croydon Borough Profile, June 2025 – Overview of Croydon population data as at June 2025
- Health Inequalities in Croydon, Director of Public Health Report 2022 – Information on health inequalities in Croydon and why further work is needed
- Croydon Schools Health & Wellbeing Survey Results, 2022/23 – Results of the recent schools’ health and wellbeing survey and students’ responses (updated report coming soon)
- Croydon Observatory – Searchable database of Croydon population data, especially in relation to deprivation, health and social care need, housing, crime and other indicators. Get in touch for support on how to use the available tools and search functions to the fullest.
Creative Health ‘How To’ Resources
- Creative Health Quality Framework – A tool outlining what “good” looks like for Creative Health activities. It includes a set of downloadable PDF resources based around eight Creative Health Quality Principles to help you plan, implement and evaluate work.
- Creative Health Toolkit – A compilation of resources and checklists on how to implement Creative Health in health and care settings
- Safeguarding Policy & Procedure Support – A starter guide to writing a safeguarding policy & procedure with signposting to further resources in Croydon and nationally
- Guidance for working online, and online safeguarding – A guide from the Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance to help you run safe and welcoming workshops online, including safeguarding children or vulnerable adults
- Risk Assessment Template – A starter guide to writing a risk assessment for your Creative Health project
Impact & Evaluation Resources
- Creative Health Impact Framework – A SE London-based overview of how to evidence impact for health partners, especially the use of Logic Models and Case Studies
- Arts and Health Evaluation: Navigating the Landscape – A UCL overview of evaluation frameworks and toolkits in the Arts and Health sector
- Warwick & Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale – An internationally validated wellbeing measure
- WELLBY: Wellbeing-Adjusted Life Years – A recent approach to measuring how much an intervention or programme improves someone’s overall wellbeing