Exploring Creative Health at Wentworth Woodhouse: A September to Remember!

Blog - 2 October 2025

September brought a burst of inspiration for our team as Kym, along with our newest team member Danielle, had the exciting opportunity to attend the Rotherham Creative Health Symposium. And where better to soak up creative energy than the stunning Wentworth Woodhouse Estate?

Set against the backdrop of this historic and grand location, the symposium brought together passionate minds to explore the power of creativity in supporting health and wellbeing. It was a fantastic chance for Kym and Danielle to connect with others in the field, gain fresh insights, and bring back new ideas to fuel our own work.

What Is Rotherham's Creative Health Board All About?

The Creative Health Board plays a key role in bringing the worlds of arts, creativity, and healthcare together across Rotherham — and here’s how they’re making that happen:

🎨 1. Raising Awareness
Their top priority is to spread the word about the power of Creative Health — helping people understand how creativity can play a vital role in improving wellbeing, supporting mental health, and building stronger communities.

🛠 2. Shaping the Future
They’re actively involved in developing and supporting the Creative Health Board’s action plan, making sure there’s a clear and impactful strategy behind all the inspiring work taking place.

🤝 3. Connecting Communities
By bringing together professionals from both the health and creative sectors, the Board helps spark new partnerships, encourage collaboration, and grow a supportive network where innovative ideas can thrive.

📚 4. Supporting Professional Growth
Ongoing learning is a big part of the mission. The Board champions continued professional development and knowledge sharing — ensuring that everyone involved stays inspired, informed, and ready to make a difference.

Spotlight on Public Health: Creativity & Children’s Wellbeing!
One of the key speakers was Lorna Quinn, Public Health Intelligence Principal at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, who shared insights from this year’s Public Health Annual Report.

The 2025 report focuses on the impact of creative and cultural activities on the health and wellbeing of children in Rotherham, reflecting the themes of the Children’s Capital of Culture festival year. Lorna highlighted how creative engagement supports confidence, emotional wellbeing, and connection — showing that the arts aren’t just enriching, but essential for young people’s development.

So, Who Was There?

Dr Jane Hearst, Research and Policy Manager, National Centre for Creative Health.

They are the National Centre for Creative Health and are a registered Charity. They are supported by an Advisory Group, and support a Network of Creative Health Champions.

Website: https://ncch.org.uk/

Rachel Massey, South Yorkshire Creative Health and Equity Lead, Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance

The Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance is a free-to-join membership organisation for creative health across England.

We provide networked, collaborative advocacy, support and resources, supporting health and wellbeing for all through creative and cultural practice. We are based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Website: https://www.culturehealthandwellbeing.org.uk/who-we-are/about-alliance

Hayley Beecher, FLUX, Mindful Movement

We are an action-research programme designed to engage Rotherham’s communities in arts and culture. The programme aims to transform local people’s involvement in leading and shaping relevant cultural provision. We do this through our creative projects and events, in collaboration with the Rotherham community.

Website: https://fluxrotherham.org.uk/about-flux/

Lisa Howarth, Rotherham Museums, Arts and Heritage, Care Home Project.

In 2019 Rotherham adopted a new Cultural Strategy, the first of its kind in more than decade, with a clear mission to: get more people, more active, creative and outdoors, more often. The Museums, Arts and Heritage service is most clearly rooted in three strands of the strategy and is working towards embedding them into future service planning.

Vital Neighbourhoods - focusing on ensuring that services, venues and programmes are truly representative of Rotherham’s communities and enabling access to high-quality cultural provision locally.
Passion to Profession – enabling engagement opportunities which build confidence and skills for life and work.
Children’s Capital of Culture – supporting children and young people to develop a programme of events in 2025 and get them excited about their future in Rotherham.

Website: https://www.rotherhammuseums.co.uk/

Helen Kelly, Wentworth Woodhouse, Wellbeing at Wentworth Woodhouse

Are you part of a local group looking to grow, learn, and connect with the community? We’re inviting new groups to use our Community Garden on a seasonal, term-by-term basis – from Spring through to Autumn. From shared growing beds and tools to water access and compost systems, friendly support from our Garden Volunteers, and a chance to work alongside established community growers, let’s grow together!

Website: https://wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk/community-group-enquiries/

Fran Graham, ArtWorks

We focus on achievement, self-belief, collaborative practice and teamwork whilst supporting our artists to play an active role within their community.

ArtWorks aims to challenge people’s perceptions of learning disabilities and autism through celebrating the creativity and ambition of our artists.

Website: https://www.artworks-sy.co.uk/about

Rachel Stothard, Rotherham Council, School Baton Relay - Childrens Capital of Culture

Our Mission is to inspire and empower the young minds of Rotherham through a diverse range of cultural and artistic events. We believe that every child and young person deserves the opportunity to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and express themselves in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccocrotherham2025

Rachel Burton, Pen & Purpose

Expressive, creative workshops to help you cultivate optimism, manage adversity, improve your mindset and expand self-compassion, so you can live the life you're supposed to be living.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Pen-Purpose-Create-a-life-you-love-61558596488594/

What Did Healthwatch Rotherham Gain?
Attending the symposium gave us valuable insight into the bigger picture — seeing firsthand how organisations across Rotherham are using Creative Health to drive real, positive change in communities.

We also had the chance to connect with local charities and creative groups, building new relationships and learning about the amazing work happening through community events and creative engagement projects. It was inspiring to see so much passion and collaboration in one space!