Director's Blog - February 2026
23/02/2026 | Author: Angela Rogers
As we look to a busy year ahead, here’s a roundup of recent activity and upcoming opportunities.
Dear Members,
February has been a month of connection and inspiration, with 89 signs ups for our February network meeting; our CPD course with Conwy creative practitioners; the final Cross Party Group on Arts and Health in this Senedd term; a WAHWN Trustee away day and planning our AHRC funded Cynefin events. As we look to a busy year ahead, here’s a roundup of recent activity and upcoming opportunities.
Our February network meeting attracted a record number of attendees to hear four fabulous health inequalities focused presentations spanning research and practice including Heads Up: Art for Men; Creative Roots’; Dr Daisy Fancourt introducing her new book ‘Art Cure’ and who described the current moment for arts and health as a “seatbelt moment”, likening the growing recognition of the health benefits of the arts to earlier public‑health shifts - such smoking cessation, and healthy eating - where scientific evidence eventually catalysed widespread behavioural and policy change. Dr Kathrin Thomas, Consultant in Public Health talked about Deep End Cymru – a network of GPs working in areas of high deprivation, sharing the pressures and challenges that both patients and GPs face.
“Huge high fives on a mega network meeting just now! What a turn out and what a superb line-up of speakers - so much food for thought”. (delegate)
It’s clear that we have such a rich body of practice in Wales with demonstrable positive impact, but cutting through and reaching more people who stand to benefit the most remains a challenge. Our March network meeting, which coincides with National Social Prescribing Day, will be opportunity to revisit this, and learn about our partnership programme ‘Cynefin’ and ways you can engage. This important programme for WAHWN offers a unique opportunity to co design practical, actionable recommendations that speak to our shared priorities around prevention, wellbeing, and culture/health partnerships.
Stepping In – Programme Update
Our Stepping In, mentee callout is now live, so please do help us spread the word. Stepping In is targeted at North Wales based Welsh speaking practitioners, and those who have lived experience of D/deaf/disabled/neurodivergent; global majority; mental health difficulties who want to step into arts and health. They will take part in a training and mentoring, receive a bursary and full wrap around support. Through this programme we are supporting a more representative arts and health practitioner workforce that reflects the communities it seeks to serve.
WAHWN Away Day – Highlights
This month our WAHWN Trustee team away day at the stunning location of Shropshire Wildlife Trust’s Cut Conference Centre, gave us space to reconnect, reflect and think strategically about the next 3 – 5 years, and how we can continue supporting members with clarity and purpose. Key themes emerging included strengthening our advocacy voice and continuing to invest in member-facing resources and development opportunities. A huge thank you to our Trustees for giving up a whole day and for their support, creativity and enthusiasm.
Conwy CBC CPD – Reflections
We are now approaching the end of our 5-week evening introduction to arts and health CPD course for Conwy based practitioners, funded by Conwy CBC. Highlights include the generous peer sharing, a growing understanding among participants of how to articulate what good practice looks like using the Creative Health Quality Framework quality principles and interactive sessions led by Teri Howson-Griffiths, Health Inequalities Lead at BCUHB who has shared regional health priorities and strategies, the procurement process and how practitioners can access opportunities.
There is a clear appetite for quality assurance training and WAWHN aims to develop further opportunities for 2026 and beyond.
Health Matters Question Time
It was encouraging to see such an engaged discussion at the Bevan Commission’s Health Matters Question Time, chaired by Will Hayward on 12th February. Representatives from Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Labour all took part, while neither the Conservatives nor Reform UK were present.
Across the panel, there was clear recognition of the importance of prevention, tackling inequalities, and community-led approaches - all strongly aligned with WAHWN’s manifesto, as well as priorities set out by the Welsh NHS Confederation and the Bevan Commission. However, while prevention was frequently mentioned, none of the parties outlined in detail how they would put this into practice. WAHWN is now developing a set of advocacy resources to help members engage their local election candidates on these issues. More to follow on this soon.
Culture Forum
This week the Wellbeing of Future Generations Commissioner for Wales will host the first Culture Forum of 2026 - an online gathering designed to bring together the culture sector and everyone interested in advancing cultural well‑being in Wales. Dr Tracy Breathnach will lead a panel discussion focused on freelancers.
Opportunities
There are a number of new opportunities this month, including a Session Coordinator for Forget-Me-Not-Chorus; Health Inequalities Delivery Lead for BCUHB (maternity cover). Do regularly check out our opportunities section for new content which updated weekly.
February has given us plenty to build on - and March promises even more opportunities to collaborate, influence, and learn from one another.
Onwards and upwards
Angela
