The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance‘s first annual conference, Cultures of Health and Wellbeing was held at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums in Newcastle on the 21st and 22nd March 2019.
I was one of the 250 people attending and as a doctor was in the minority. The conference explored the challenges and opportunities presented by the political and public interest in this field and highlighted the growing evidence that supports the use of arts for health and wellbeing. The impact of this evidence was magnified by hearing the stories of individuals benefiting from art and meeting inspirational individuals’ artists and art organisations.
Two of the highlights of the two days for me were:
- hearing the poetry of Zodwa Nyoni.
- listening to Dr Shanali Perera’s powerful story ‘Beyond illness; art and the human experience’.