WAHWN News
Arts, Health and Wellbeing Manifesto
The arts are a powerful force for individual and social wellbeing, fostering resilience, social connection, and improved mental and physical health and wellbeing. A significant and growing body of evidence highlights the economic and social value of long-term investment in the arts to support mental and physical health. Additionally, evidence shows increasing engagement with the arts can help to mitigate against negative impacts of living in less affluent areas.
The arts and culture are embedded throughout key Welsh Government policies, frameworks and strategies, including the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the National Framework for Social Prescribing. The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015 is a key driver in Wales urging public bodies to embed arts and culture within their wellbeing goals.
As Wales approaches the 2026 Senedd elections, we urge all political parties to commit to bold and transformative action to embed the arts within health and social care systems.
We call for the following five key commitments to ensure that arts and culture play a central role in shaping a healthier, more vibrant Wales:
1. Appoint a Cabinet secretary for arts and culture
As recommended by the Wellbeing of Future Generations Commissioner, Wales must elevate arts and culture within government by appointing a dedicated Cabinet Secretary to champion the sector and ensure its integration into national policy.
2. Commission a creative health review
A comprehensive review of creative health initiatives will assess their impact, identify best practices, and inform future policy decisions. It will build a robust cohort of creative health champions and advocates across all public bodies. The review will ensure that arts-based interventions are evidence-driven and effectively integrated into health and social care strategies, contributing to prevention, recovery and reducing inequalities in health outcomes.
3. Invest in a national arts on referral scheme
A nationwide arts-on-referral programme will enable healthcare professionals to refer patients to evidence-based arts interventions, supporting mental health, social inclusion, and overall wellbeing as highlighted in the National Framework for Social Prescribing. This initiative will build on existing successful models (e.g. National Exercise Referral Scheme) and ensure equitable access across Wales.
4. Invest in a sector-wide workforce development programme for arts and health professionals
The programme will build capacity within the arts and health sector, providing training, professional development, and sustainable career pathways for practitioners working at the intersection of arts and health, and enable Wales to respond effectively to the growing demand for creative preventative approaches to tackling mental and physical health.
5. Protect the arts and help them to unlock their full potential to transform lives, prevent illness and tackle inequality
In line with the ambitions of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act arts and culture must be protected and should be formally acknowledged for their role in preventative healthcare, supporting mental health, reducing social isolation, and promoting overall health and wellbeing. Investment in arts-based prevention strategies will reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve quality of life across Wales, particularly for those who experience health inequalities.
The arts are not a luxury – they are a necessity for a healthier, more connected Wales. We urge all political parties to commit to these actions and ensure that arts and culture are fully integrated into health and wellbeing strategies.
Together, we can create a Wales where creativity thrives, health improves and communities flourish