Investing in solace, company and distraction

If we are to draw something positive from lockdown life, it has clearly unleashed passions and interests which have sustained us in 2020.  Suddenly a nation of artists, bakers and leaf bathers has emerged.  

Others have embraced ‘Couch to 5k’ or online dance classes. Many, in pursuit of healthy body, mind and spirit have tried all of the above and more. 

 

So how can we build on this where people need it most?  Social prescribing can help people vulnerable to isolation or mental health challenges by offering them solace, company and distraction through ‘prescribed’ activity of all kinds, on their terms, in their community.

 

Of course the Arts Council’s core business is culture, and there is a vital role for artists, museums and libraries in supporting social prescribing work, but the health sector is challenging us, alongside our partners in sport, nature and volunteering, to be more than the sum of our parts.  We want to rise to this challenge and work in a new way, incentivising others to do so as well.  

All our sectors have been battered by Covid-19, but they are down, not out.  We are hearing stories of how well organisations are responding and adapting to opportunities in real time.  

Today we are proud to support one such opportunity - a new funding programme in partnership with the National Academy for Social Prescribing - to deliver activities that are relevant and meaningful to people in their communities in all kinds of ways. This is a chance for those of us working in culture, sport, nature and the community sector to go beyond our own definitions of activity.  It’s an opportunity to think like social entrepreneurs – making new partnerships and bringing resources together to make new activity happen.  In short, meeting that rising demand for solace, company and distraction. 

Partnership with government and NHS

The government has committed to investing in the England-wide infrastructure for social prescribing. And a year ago, with the support of government and the NHS, the National Academy for Social Prescribing was created to accelerate this process (you can read more about social prescribing, and the Arts Council’s role as a founder partner to the National Academy, here. 

 

Additionally, the Arts Council recently committed to building partnerships across health and social care, including through social prescribing, in Let’s Create - our new ten-year strategy for the arts and culture in England. 

The Thriving Communities Fund 

As the next stage of the National Academy for Social Prescribing’s work, today (Tuesday 10 November 2020), we are working with the Academy to launch a new initiative, the Thriving Communities Fund, designed to incentivise these new joined up ways of thinking.

It will bring together local partnerships across culture, sport, nature, health and the wider community sector to directly address the wellbeing needs of those most affected by the pandemic. This is part of the Academy’s wider Thriving Communities Programme, which seeks to champion and support the vital work of voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups supporting communities most impacted by COVID19 in England, working alongside social prescribing link workers.

 

We will distribute a total pot of £1.4m through the fund, made up from £1.15m of the Academy’s funding, and £250k from the Arts Council, available thanks to National Lottery Players.

Thinking of applying?

Projects must be delivered by consortia including at least one cultural organisation and three core partners.  Whoever you are, if you are already doing valuable work in this space we hope the fund offers an opportunity to show leadership in your community and co-ordinate an application.   

 

The programme guidance is published today (Tuesday 10 November). The applications portal opens on Monday 23 November, and closes on Friday 8 January. We will make decisions in January and February 2021, with projects beginning in March.

 

Find out more about the Thriving Communities Fund and download the guidance >

 

You can also find out about both the Fund and the Academy’s wider Thriving Communities programme (which also includes the creation of a new network, regional partners and a research strand), here.

A new departure

This is a new departure for the Arts Council – very much aligned with our ambition to support communities in our strategy Let’s Create.  It’s the first ever joint-funded programme between us and, through National Academy for Social Prescribing, the healthcare system and community groups.  

We’re excited to create new opportunities for a wide range of organisations and great variety of projects as the Thriving Communities Fund develops, and learn as we go.