Encouragingly there is a growing body of existing and emerging research evidence about the impact of participation in the arts and cultural activity. The All-Parliamentary Group of Arts, Health and Wellbeing produced a substantial report last year: 'Creative Health: the arts for health and well-being'. This excellent document offers many opportunities and recommendations for a way of making creative arts more central to public policy and practice, to the benefit of many groups in society. Like many such reports it has great potential for impact if studied and acted upon.
My perspective is as an advocate for the creative arts and also as a management- group member of the Campaign to End Loneliness. Cultural participation often represents an empowering avenue out of social isolation and loneliness. And loneliness is increasingly on the policy agenda, both locally and now with the advent of the new Minister for Loneliness. I would like to track down more specific evidence about the connection between the two. The Baring Foundation has both written on this subject and also funded a convincing report of work in Northern Ireland, 'Not so cut off'. I would greatly appreciate any help you can give in finding other sources of evidence. Thank you.
Paul Cann paullewiscann@gmail.com
