Local mental health charity ensures Bradford’s City of Culture legacy lives on through major new creative health programme
Bradford District and Craven Mind is set to continue the creative legacy of Bradford 2025 with the launch of an ambitious two-year programme designed to tackle local health inequalities through arts, culture and creativity.
Bradford is currently the fifth most income‑deprived district in England, facing deep-rooted challenges including economic inequality, poor health outcomes and limited social mobility. In response, the new Creative Connection Programme will support 600 local people living with a Severe Mental Illness (SMI) to access cultural events, creative activities and artist-led projects that help them express their feelings and build ongoing and sustained engagement with the arts.
The programme is funded through a generous grant from the Baring Foundation, matched by the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership as part of its Healthy Minds Strategy, which focuses on supporting people to stay happy, healthy and connected within their communities.
The programme also benefits from ongoing advisory support from Bradford 2025’s legacy organisation, helping to ensure the continuation of the district’s cultural momentum beyond the City of Culture year.
Helen Davey, CEO of Bradford District and Craven Mind, said: “Through the lens of Bradford’s vibrant arts and culture scene, we will broaden and strengthen the mental wellbeing support available to people in our communities. We are deeply grateful to our funders, whose support is enabling us to bring the power of arts, culture and creativity to some of the district’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.”
David Cutler, Director of the Baring Foundation, said: “The Baring Foundation has been funding hundreds of creative mental health projects across the UK since 2020 and is hugely impressed by the work which happened during Bradford City of Culture. We are sure this work will now go from strength to strength and will hopefully provide a model for others.”
The announcement builds on the success of Bradford District & Craven Mind’s year-long partnership with Bradford 2025 – UK City of Culture. During 2025, the two organisations supported 360 people living with an SMI to take part fully in the city-wide celebrations.
Participants in the Creative Health Programme enjoyed a diverse range of activities including guided walks, live music, theatre, comedy, exhibitions, outdoor events and artist-led workshops. The programme also provided practical and emotional support such as help with tickets, transport, refreshments, personalised assistance and confidence-building support to reduce anxiety around attending large, organised events.
In addition, the partnership delivered specialist mental health training to local creative practitioners and Bradford 2025 volunteers, and supported major artist-led commissions including DRAW! (supported by David Hockney), A World Without Death, A Good Yarn, and three short films sharing the lived experiences of people with mental health challenges. These films premiered at the National Science and Media Museum on 24 March.
Heather Butcher, Director of Adult Services at Bradford District and Craven Mind, said: “Our partnership with City of Culture has shone a spotlight on the vital link between creativity and good mental health. The personal stories shared through this work are powerful, and they will continue to inspire future collaborations that use creative practice to support wellbeing across our district.”
Bradford District and Craven Mind provide a range of mental health services from early intervention to maintaining wellbeing and supporting people in crisis. The charity’s vision is that no one in Bradford District and Craven should face a mental health challenge alone.
For local mental health services visit the website (bdcmind.org.uk). Or call their helpline Guide-Line on 08001 884 884 for confidential emotional support.
For crisis mental health support, call First Response on 0800 952 1181 or call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
To support Bradford District and Craven Mind visit their website: bdcmind.org.uk/support-us
