The Creative Health GM – A Place Partnership Conference took place on Thursday 12th December 2024. This event brought together leaders, practitioners, and creative professionals from across Greater Manchester to explore the role of creativity in supporting health and wellbeing.
Key Highlights:
- Welcome and Opening Address:
- Professor Malcolm Press (Vice-Chancellor, MMU) and Kate Green (Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester) opened the conference, setting the tone for a day focused on fostering a Creative Health City Region.
- Keynote:
- Rachel Egan highlighted Greater Manchester’s commitment to become a Creative Health City Region, emphasising collaboration and innovation in health and creativity.
- Strategic Insights:
- Julie McCarthy (GMCA) and Magdalen Bartlett (Afrocats) presented a roadmap for the next three years of GM Place Partnership, showcasing the opportunities for creative health development in the region.
- Inspiration and Practice:
- The event featured live performances, including Witness This by Company Chameleon, and inspiring moments from creative projects such as Early Moves by Rambert.
- Deep Dive Sessions:
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- Attendees engaged in focused discussions on critical topics, including:
- Supporting long-term conditions through creative health.
- Neurodivergent young people and creativity in wellbeing.
- Cultural competence in mental health and creative practices.
- Attendees engaged in focused discussions on critical topics, including:
- Panel Discussions:
- Panels explored school readiness through creativity, cross-sector collaboration challenges, and the power of partnerships to advance creative health.
- Closing Sessions:
- Suzi Zumpe of ENO Breathe provided a reflective moment with A Moment to Breathe, and Dr Clive Parkinson delivered A Human Condition, offering a thought-provoking perspective on creative health.
- The conference ended with reflections and a forward-looking message from Julie McCarthy and Magdalen Bartlett.
