Creative Health Stories

Laura Bailey

Creative Health Stories is a platform and consultancy led by Laura Bailey and Associates based in Faversham, Kent. We showcase the transformative impact of creativity on health and wellbeing through engaging audio stories, community projects, and workplace initiatives. Our services aim to increase understanding, access and investment in creative health. In each podcast episode we explore why creativity, art, culture, nature and design are important to public health. Conversations with health professionals, artists, cultural practitioners, academics, policy makers and people with lived experience reveal how creativity supports our general health and wellbeing and chronic, long term conditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Hollie McNish on poetry, politics and wellbeing

    FEB 20

    Hollie McNish on poetry, politics and wellbeing

    In this conversation, Laura and award winning poet and performer Hollie McNish explore the profound connection between creativity, poetry, humour and wellbeing. They discuss the nature of creativity, the journey to becoming a poet, and the impact of poetry on mental health. Hollie shares her insights on the intersection of personal and political themes in her work, the importance of community in fostering creativity, and the role of humor in addressing serious issues. They also touch on the value of everyday creativity and the challenges faced in arts funding and accessibility. The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring creatives and reflections on the transformative power of art in people's lives. Listen to the end to hear Hollie reading from her new book Virgin. A thoughtful and candid discussion about permission, persistence and the power of everyday creativity in public life. Timestamps:  00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Hollie McNish's work and themes 02:00 - Childhood creativity and societal labels on arts and talent 05:00 - The importance of creative health in education and everyday life 08:00 - Personal stories and how poetry helps process grief, joy, and anger 12:00 - The journey from hobbyist to professional poet and challenges faced 15:00 - Using poetry as social commentary on societal issues like misogyny and xenophobia 20:00 - How writing about personal and political topics serves emotional and societal healing 25:00 - Explaining how poetry addresses feelings and personal experiences 30:00 - The role of humor and satire in tackling serious societal issues 35:00 - The political significance of content around topics like virginity, sex education, and menopause 40:00 - Community arts, policy challenges, and funding cuts: what's needed to improve access 45:00 - Encouraging people to find their creative outlets and access arts for health 50:00 - The cultural and economic benefits of national and international arts funding schemes 55:00 - Final thoughts on the power of everyday creativity and its impact on health and society Resources & Links: Hollie McNish's website Virgin by Hollie McNish Maternal Journal - support for new mothers Professor Sir Michael Marmot's work on social determinants of health Pride (Film about activism and community) Social Media: Hollie on Instagram Creative Health Stories on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr
  2. Why Movement Matters: Rambert’s Early Moves Programme in Greater Manchester

    FEB 6

    Why Movement Matters: Rambert’s Early Moves Programme in Greater Manchester

    In this commissioned episode of Creative Health Stories, host Laura Bailey explores an innovative initiative that brings professional dance and movement training into early years education. Early Moves is a partnership programme from Rambert Dance Company, Rambert Grades, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) which trains nursery practitioners to embed creative movement into daily practice. Designed to support children from 0–5 years, this pioneering project uses dance to enhance physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, contributing to school readiness and workforce wellbeing at scale. Early Moves has been made possible through support from Arts Council England's National Lottery funded Place Partnership Fund, with additional support from the Granada Foundation and GMCA. Key ThemesMovement as Development: Early movement isn’t just physical play — it’s tied to brain development, communication, balance, emotional regulation, and self-expression. Empowering Practitioners: Nursery practitioners with little or no dance experience are trained to lead creative movement sessions confidently, enhancing their professional skills, wellbeing, and job satisfaction. Real-world Impact: Practitioners share stories about boosts in children’s confidence, listening skills, social interaction, language development, and engagement, especially for those who are shy or have additional needs. Strategic Partnership: Greater Manchester’s early years leaders invested in the programme to tackle low school readiness rates, particularly in more deprived areas, through a creative and holistic approach. Voices from the EpisodeDaniel Fulvio, Director of Community Partnerships, Rambert Hannah Kidd, Head of Education & Examinations, Rambert Grades Chloe Senior, Early Years Dance Specialist Anna Daley and Anne O’Connor, Evaluators, Primed for Life Miriam Loxham, Senior Principal for Early Years and Faily Help, Greater Manchester Combined Authority Julie McCarthy, Strategic Lead for Creative Health, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and NHS Greater Manchester  Early Years Practitioners: Pamela (Dream Big Little One), Sharon (St. Vincent’s), Holly (Safari Kindergarten), Tiffany (Clayton Tiddlywinks), Niamh (Buttercup Corner). Organisation LinksRambert Dance Company Website https://rambert.org.uk/ Instagram: @rambertdance Rambert Grades Website: https://www.rambertgrades.com/ Instagram: @rambertgrades Greater Manchester Combined Authority Website: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk Instagram: @greatermcr Arts Council England https://www.artscouncil.org.uk Instagram: @aceagrams Granada Foundation Website: https://granadafoundation.org/ Image by Jack Thomson @j_a_c_k__t_h_o_m_s_o_n  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  3. Charcoal, Compulsion and Creative Recovery with Artist Liz Atkin

    09/05/2025

    Charcoal, Compulsion and Creative Recovery with Artist Liz Atkin

    This episode of Creative Health Stories is a little different. Host Laura Bailey takes the podcast outdoors to the Whitstable seafront for a conversation with artist Liz Atkin. Liz shares her lived experience of dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking disorder) and how charcoal drawing became both a recovery tool and a powerful creative practice. Together they explore how creativity can transform personal health and support others in clinical and community settings. It’s a candid and inspiring conversation about vulnerability, play, and the therapeutic potential of creativity. Key Points: Liz’s journey from theatre and dance to charcoal drawing.Using creativity to refocus compulsion and anxiety.The role of play and flow in improving wellbeing.Workshops with NHS staff and the importance of creative breaks.How creative health programmes face challenges in the current NHS context. Links: Liz Atkin: lizatkin.comBreathe Arts Health Research: breatheahr.orgHorsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable: horsebridge.org.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  4. The healing power of singing for mothers with Kate Valentine

    08/15/2025

    The healing power of singing for mothers with Kate Valentine

    In this conversation, Laura and Kate Valentine explore the transformative power of singing for mothers through the Singing Mamas programme. Kate shares her journey from nursing to leading community singing sessions, emphasising the emotional and mental health benefits of singing. They discuss the integration of creative health into the NHS, the challenges of funding, and the importance of community support. The conversation highlights how singing can foster connection, healing, and confidence among mothers, ultimately advocating for a shift in how health professionals view and utilise creative practices in healthcare. Takeaways: Singing together creates a sense of community and belonging. The act of singing can significantly improve mental health. Mothers often struggle with mental health, and singing provides support. Creative health initiatives can be integrated into the NHS. Funding for community singing programs is often inconsistent. Singing helps build confidence in one's voice and expression. Community leaders play a crucial role in promoting wellbeing. Singing can be a powerful tool for emotional processing. The benefits of singing extend beyond the individual to the community. Creative practices are essential for the resilience of health professionals. Links: Singing Mamas CIC Socials: Singing_Mamas_Org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  5. Sarah Ticho on immersive technology in health care

    08/01/2025

    Sarah Ticho on immersive technology in health care

    In this episode of Creative Health Stories, host Laura Bailey speaks with Sarah Ticho, a multidisciplinary artist and entrepreneur, about her journey into immersive technology and its applications in health and wellbeing. They discuss the various forms of immersive technology, including XR, VR, AR, and MR, and how these technologies can be used therapeutically in areas such as pain management, mental health, and community building. Sarah shares her experiences with her project Soul Paint, which aims to help individuals express their emotions through immersive art. The conversation also touches on the challenges of funding, the need for diversity in the field, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for all. Takeaways: Immersive technology can serve as a bridge for discussing difficult topics like grief.XR has significant applications in pain management and mental health treatment.Funding for XR projects is often challenging due to a perceived lack of evidence and insufficient infrastructure.Diversity and inclusion are critical in the development of XR technologies.Community building through VR can help combat isolation and foster connections.Soul Paint is an immersive experience designed to help individuals explore their emotions.The process of creating immersive art involves collaboration across various disciplines.There is a need for new roles and infrastructure in healthcare to support XR initiatives.The potential of XR in healthcare is vast, but it requires more recognition and support. Links: Soul Paint Hatsumi  Monobanda Deep We Met in Virtual Reality  Quad Gods The Growing Value of XR in Healthcare in the UK report Socials: Soul Paint Instagram Sarah on Instagram Sarah on LinkedIn Creative Health Stories Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  6. Thahmina Begum on community art psychotherapy, equity and racial trauma

    07/17/2025

    Thahmina Begum on community art psychotherapy, equity and racial trauma

    In this episode host Laura Bailey is joined by artist, researcher, art psychotherapist and community leader Thahmina Begum. Based in Leeds, Thahmina shares her extraordinary 20+ year journey at the intersection of creative health, art therapy and community development, rooted in her Bangladeshi heritage and unwavering commitment to social justice and health equity. From the early influence of youth clubs and play schemes in Leeds, to art therapy programmes that address racial and intergenerational trauma, Thahmina’s work spans psychiatric wards, schools, community centres and galleries. She reflects on her personal story of resilience and the power of art to create safe, transformative spaces for people from underrepresented communities. She also discusses the importance of trauma-informed practice, the ethics of care for artists and practitioners, and the urgent need for leadership, infrastructure and investment to sustain a creative health workforce. With infectious warmth and clarity, Thahmina offers a vision for an equitable future where art is embedded across health services—from GP surgeries to national institutions. Links: Creative Health Stories Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance (CHWA) – Thahmina is Co-Chair Yorkshire Sculpture Park British Library British Council The Tetley / Yorkshire Contemporary Yorkshire Sculpture International Leeds Art Gallery Henry Moore Institute Barbara Hepworth Wakefield Leeds City Museum Up Projects – Thahmina is a Trustee Lab4Living Creative Health Boards Global South Arts and Health Week Socials: @artbyfudgee @creativehealthstories Get Involved: If you’d like to use audio stories in your work, or explore collaborations, visit our website and get in touch. 💬 Rate, review and subscribe to help others discover Creative Health Stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  7. Tony Cealy on improvisation and the power of play

    07/04/2025

    Tony Cealy on improvisation and the power of play

    In this rich and energising conversation, host Laura Bailey speaks with Tony Cealy, an acclaimed theatre practitioner and cultural producer, about the transformative power of drama, improvisation, and play in community and justice settings. Tony shares how he moved from an initial career in accountancy to working with some of society’s most marginalized groups through creative and participatory theatre. We explore how Tony uses forum theatre, psychodrama, and improvisation to promote behavioural change, community empowerment, and policy advocacy. From working in prisons to shaping health systems, Tony's work challenges injustice, champions unheard voices, and inspires change from the ground up. If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing Creative Health Stories — it really helps others discover the podcast. Links: Tony Cealy’s website Theatre of the Oppressed Cardboard Citizens Socials: @tonycealy Tony's LinkedIn @creativehealthstories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  8. Dan Hopewell on activism, art and social prescribing

    06/20/2025

    Dan Hopewell on activism, art and social prescribing

    Dan Hopewell is a lifelong advocate for social justice and community empowerment, whose work spans international public art, grassroots activism, and pioneering community-led health models that integrate creative health. In this episode we have a rich conversation about Dan's life, work, and philosophy around community, creativity, and health. He discusses his early belief in social justice and activism and the 15 years he spent in Nicaragua developing community-based public art, which led to education reform and built a legacy that continues today. Upon returning to the UK, Dan joined Bromley by Bow Centre, where he contributed to the development of its arts and community programs. He talks through the Centre’s evolution from a dilapidated church into a pioneering, thriving community hub reversing traditional top-down approaches, integrating arts, employment, and social support services. Dan helped shape the UK's social prescribing model, aiming to address the root causes of health issues through holistic, community-based support. We discuss its successes and challenges, along with the state of the NHS. Links Bromley by Bow Centre Social Prescribing Network Socials @bromley_by_bow_centre BbB LinkedIn @creativehealthstories Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
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About

Creative Health Stories is a platform and consultancy led by Laura Bailey and Associates based in Faversham, Kent. We showcase the transformative impact of creativity on health and wellbeing through engaging audio stories, community projects, and workplace initiatives. Our services aim to increase understanding, access and investment in creative health. In each podcast episode we explore why creativity, art, culture, nature and design are important to public health. Conversations with health professionals, artists, cultural practitioners, academics, policy makers and people with lived experience reveal how creativity supports our general health and wellbeing and chronic, long term conditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Laura Bailey
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Laura Bailey
  • Show Website
    Creative Health Stories