WAHWN News

WAHWN responds to priorities set by Minister for Culture and Sport, Heledd Fychan

Minister for Culture and Sport, Heledd Fychan, has outlined her priorities to the Senedd as part of her first 100-day plan. 

Wales' Arts Health and Wellbeing Network welcomes the Minister for Culture and Sport's commitment to placing culture, the arts and sport at the heart of a preventative health agenda in Wales.

We are particularly encouraged by the recognition that arts, culture and sport are not optional extras but essential contributors to healthier people, stronger communities and a more sustainable health and care system. We couldn't agree more.

For many years, organisations across Wales have demonstrated how creative health approaches improve mental health, reduce loneliness, support recovery from illness, promote healthy ageing and tackle health inequalities. The evidence base continues to grow, both internationally and here in Wales, showing that investment in arts and health delivers benefits for individuals, communities and public services.

We welcome the Minister's commitment to developing robust data and evidence. Alongside commissioning new research, we would encourage Government to build on the considerable evidence, evaluation and lived experience already generated by practitioners, researchers and communities across Wales.

As the Government develops its new Culture and Sport Strategy, we look forward to working alongside Ministers, officials, health boards, local authorities and partners across Wales. Together, we have an opportunity to embed creative health within policy and practice, ensuring that arts and culture are recognised as core components of prevention, treatment and recovery.