Researchers collaborate to boost health and wellbeing in coastal towns

The national research programme, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), focuses on three coastal areas of England – Hastings, Weston-Super-Mare, and Blackpool – which have poor health outcomes but a rich cultural and creative heritage.

The project aims to integrate creative community activities into local health systems. It recognises the powerful impact that cultural and creative resources can have on improving health, yet these are often underutilised in local government and NHS health policies.

The University of Brighton is playing a key role in the project alongside Brighton and Sussex Medical School, East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council, and local community organisations.

The University of Brighton’s research team, including Dr Alexandra Sawyer and Professor Nigel Sherriff from the School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences and Dr Uschi Klein from the School of Art and Media, will focus on ensuring that Hastings – like other coastal towns – benefits from improved access to creative community assets. This will involve strengthening collaboration between local creative groups, healthcare providers, and government bodies, as well as enhancing the visibility and role of creative organisations in improving public health.

Dr Alexandra Sawyer said: “This project is an exciting opportunity to work with different sectors and members of the community to understand how best to integrate creative community assets into health and social care to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Hastings.”

Key objectives of the project include increasing collaboration between creative and community groups, the NHS, and local governments; developing a shared understanding of local health inequalities and the positive impact of creative activities and enhancing community skills to promote creativity as a tool for improving health and wellbeing.

The collaboration also plans to produce a practical “how-to” guide to embed creative community activities within local systems. The ultimate goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in coastal communities.

The project, part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) “Mobilising Community Assets to Tackle Health Inequalities” programme, is led by the University of Liverpool for the North West, the University of Bristol for the South West and the University of Kent for the South East.