Creative Health in Schools Pilots

During the 2021-2022 academic year, Evoke produced a series of pilot studies in schools as part of the Kirklees Creative Health Partnership.

About

The Kirklees Creative Health Partnership is a network of educators, creative practitioners, community leaders and mental health specialists. Our aim is to increase and improve social prescribing services for all young people across Kirklees.

We place particular emphasis on the value of creativity as a form of social prescribing. A growing body of research states that arts and cultural activities can aid the mental health and personal development of children and young people as they navigate challenges in their lives.

We want to reduce health inequalities in a community setting by identifying barriers to engagement with stimulating creative activities. Solutions will be found by utilising and building upon local community assets, while also delivering new activities and services.

The Creative Health in Schools Pilots

We ran 6 pilot studies in schools as part of the Kirkless Creative Health Partnership. These pilots had the following intentions:

i) To change culture within schools, reducing stigma and encouraging young people to use creativity to manage mental health and wellbeing.

ii) To empower teachers and schools to support children and young people's mental health and wellbeing by implementing creative activities and placed-based approaches - both inside and outside the classroom.