Partners
Looking to improve your overall well-being? Look no further! Our team is excited to be in partnership with HERA, bringing you free Social Prescribing classes and a wide range of other support services to our community. Whether you’re seeking to improve your mental health, build stronger relationships, or simply find new ways to stay active, we’ve got you covered. Don’t wait any longer to start your journey to a healthier, happier you. Contact HERA or us directly to learn more about the services we offer and how we can help you achieve your goals
The HERA arts project at Brighton Health & Wellbeing Centre is a network of programmes using the arts and creative practices that enhance the quality of life, health and wellbeing of our patients, staff and community.
We provide access to high-quality arts activity to people. These activities are specifically designed to improve the functional health and wellbeing of participants whether they are suffering from physical or mental illness or a combination of both.
Creative and Connected: Pioneering Brighton arts and health programme receives funding to work across whole city
Brighton & Hove City Council have made a major funding award to a charity partnership that puts the arts at the heart of health.
Since 2014, the Hera Project in Brighton & Hove has been funded by Arts Council England and others to support the health & wellbeing of people living with long-term health concerns. People access the programme through their GP surgery, and can refer themselves without having to see a doctor.
The evidence is conclusive – being creative and connected provides measurable benefits for physical and mental health.
Around 30% of the city’s population live with ongoing health challenges, and 5% have significant and complex issues. Hera has delivered thousands of support sessions, and has created a model that is now a national leader in changing the way primary care is delivered.
Brighton & Hove City Council has awarded nearly £300,000 over three years to fund creative workshops with primary care patients, alongside training for arts and health professionals, access support for people with disabilities or low confidence, and public events to showcase the special creativity and diversity of the city.
Lead partner the Robin Hood Health Foundation, which is based at Hove GP practice Brighton Health and Wellbeing Centre, will be working with venue The Old Market, arts charity Creative Future, and disability inclusion specialists Diversity and Ability.
Our charity was set up by visionary GP Laura Marshall Andrews, and the Hera Project has developed new ways to support patients with their physical and mental health, using dance, music, art, photography, creative writing and creative computing. Last year, people engaging in three or more group sessions saw an average 41% reduction in their need for GP appointments, according to an evaluation done by a doctor at Brighton & Sussex Medical School. Our view is that arts and culture are a basic right, regardless of your health status - and a healthy life includes creativity. We are so grateful to BHCC for the leadership they have shown in arts and health, and for the vital support they are providing. This funding means we can work with these brilliant partner organisations to reach many more people and massively increase the impact of what we do. Coronavirus will not stop us - we have built an online and telephone support system, and are working hard to reach everyone referred to us, regardless of whether they are online or not yet. And as soon as it is safe to do so, we will resume our fantastic creative sessions face-to-face - patients tell us often how much difference they make.
Robin Hood Health Foundation is our charity (Reg No: 1169072) that we established to relieve sickness and promote health for patients of the Brighton Health and Wellbeing Centre by improving access to non-NHS treatment choices. The charity helps fund courses of complementary therapies and healing arts services available at the Centre for those in need on low income.
We donate £4 from every hour of complementary therapy given at the Centre, and we welcome donations to help us keep up with the high demand for treatments.
To donate, please use the Paypal button below. Thank you so much. We and our patients really appreciate anything you can give. Thank you.