...Hannah Zeilig; Fiona Poland; Chris Fox; John Killick Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline the first stage of an innovative developmental study addressing the educational and emotional needs of dementia care home staff using arts-based materials. Design/methodology/approach...

...Joanne Abbotts; William Spence Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the “Out of the Box” initiative, by investigating any impacts on participants’ wellbeing. Aimed at general population adults, Out of the Box comprised two art‐oriented groups and one social group, led by a community art worker...

...Lisa Wood; Penny Ivery; Robert Donovan; Estée Lambin Purpose There is growing interest in the use of music and other arts mediums as a way of addressing mental health and social wellbeing issues in a non‐clinical or therapy setting. This can be particularly apt for more at‐risk young people who...

...Mark O'Neill The research on the health benefits of intensive engagement with creative and cultural activities through art therapy and workshops led by artists is well recognised in the literature on cultural impact. In general, this engagement involves small numbers and, in the current climate...

...Theodore Stickley; Kate Duncan The arts and health agenda has experienced considerable expansion in the UK in recent years, against a backdrop of increasing social inequality and rising incidence of mental health problems. This paper explores the role of community arts in combating social...

...Kevin McCabe; Rosie Summerton; Hester Parr Arts can make an important contribution to the social inclusion of marginalised groups such as those with mental health problems. In this article three different voices ‐ those of the arts project user and artist, the project manager and artist...

...Wendy Teall Start Manchester is an arts‐based, face‐to‐face mental health service within the emergent field of arts in mental health. This article describes its work and demonstrates how it uses art in a health‐focused way. While the article refers to some of the literature that explores how...