Create wins Mental Health Award

We are delighted to announce that Create has won a prestigious Mental Health Award, recognising the importance and value of creativity for wellbeing.

Our creative:voices programme with adult carers won the “Most Innovative Proactive Wellbeing Activity” category at the Mental Health Awards ceremony in Reading last night.

We are thrilled that the creative arts have once again been formally recognised as a powerful tool for enhancing mental wellbeing. The award recognises the important work that we deliver across the UK with those who selflessly provide unpaid care to their loved ones. It is made all the more special by being Create’s first award for this area of our work. Winning this award is also valued recognition of the quality of our dedicated team’s commitment and passion and I am so proud of what we have achieved.

At Create, we fundamentally believe that people need to create. It is often the most marginalised people in society who are excluded from accessing the benefits of the creative arts, whilst also standing to benefit the most from taking part.

The adult carers who take part in our creative:voices programme certainly fall into this category. They are often disadvantaged, marginalised and hidden, which can lead to poor mental health and low self-esteem. And so many of them do not have the time or resources to access the creative arts in their day-to-day lives. The poverty rate for adult carers is 50% higher than for those who do not provide unpaid care _{^{(Carers UK 2024)}} and 68% are unable to get a break from their respite care when they need it _{^{(Carers Trust 2023)}}.  

When I look at all the pieces I made on this project, they look beautiful. It’s relaxing and good for your mind.

creative:voices participant

Many adult carers say that their personal relationships, social lives and leisure time have been restricted due to their caring responsibilities. They often feel a sense of guilt, stress and isolation connected to their caring, which makes access to appropriate support essential.

We designed creative:voices to alleviate feelings of isolation and enhance mental health, enriching carers’ sense of belonging in their community and increasing their confidence in themselves and their abilities. The project enables them to take a creative break from their caring responsibilities, to meet others and boost their mental wellbeing.

I enjoyed the project and found it therapeutic. It always brightened my day when I came here. You don’t know what creativity you have until you try it.

creative:voices participant

We see every day the profound impact that creativity has on people’s mental health and wellbeing. When given the chance to engage with the creative arts, people learn new skills and positive attitudes, they build connections, find fulfilment, and discover the sheer joy of creating.

With this award, we are taking one step closer to our vision of a world in which everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to engage in the creative arts.

Thank you to the Mental Health Awards for shining a spotlight on our work, and for highlighting how creativity is an indispensable tool for enhancing mental wellbeing. Thank you to the dedicated carer services across the UK with which we partner. And thank you to The Smiles Fund partnership between Comic Relief and Walkers for funding this life-changing programme.

Nicky Goulder, Founding Chief Executive