Building a county-wide network for creative health
The Essex Creative Health Network was established to connect people and organisations working across the arts, health, local government and voluntary sectors. The aim is to strengthen collaboration, share learning and support the development of creative health across Essex.
As Network Coordinator, I have led the development of the network from its early stages, designing and facilitating meetings, developing strategic priorities, coordinating communications and building relationships across sectors. Alongside convening the network, I have led creative health mapping, commissioned place-based research and developed professional learning opportunities for practitioners.
Today, the network continues to grow as a collaborative space where partners share learning, build relationships and strengthen the role of creativity in improving health and wellbeing across Essex. By connecting people across sectors, the network is helping to embed creative health within Essex’s wider health, cultural and community infrastructure.
My Role
Coordinate the Essex Creative Health Network.
Design and facilitate county-wide network meetings.
Build partnerships across the arts, health and local government.
Manage stakeholder engagement and communications.
Lead research, mapping and strategic development.
Develop and deliver professional learning opportunities.
Impact
The network has helped create stronger connections across the creative health sector in Essex, providing a trusted space for organisations to share knowledge, develop partnerships and contribute to a more coordinated approach to creative health.
It has also strengthened the evidence base through mapping, research and collective learning, helping to give creative health greater visibility within wider strategic conversations. Together, this has created a stronger foundation for continued collaboration and the further development of creative health across Essex.
What I’m Learning
Sustainable partnerships are built through trust, consistency and shared purpose. Creating regular opportunities for people to connect is just as important as delivering projects, because strong relationships become the foundation for long-term change.
I’m also learning the importance of balancing coordination with shared ownership. A network becomes stronger when people don't simply participate in it, but help shape its priorities, contribute their expertise and take responsibility for what develops next.