About us
As a charity, Arts and Health South West (AHSW) works to support arts and cultural organisations across the South West to collaborate and provide more accessible creative arts activities across the region. We ensure these arts and cultural providers are well informed with evidence and practical toolkits, as well as help more people to connect with each other and flourish through creativity.
Through our regional strategy we are supporting arts and health organisations and practitioners to deliver arts and cultural activity in response to some of the most pressing issues facing the people of South West England. Our priority areas are Loneliness and Mental Health and we are advocating for arts and culture to be part of Social Prescribing.
Social Prescribing has the potential to help improve health and wellbeing as it connects people to services which help to improve their health and wellbeing. Engaging in creative activities can be an effective way of connecting people with their inner and outer worlds, helping them to make meaning and expand their horizons. In a group, the creative process can be an invisible connector, allowing people to share stories while making and learning new skills.
