Working Together is an 18-month Creative Health programme (2023–2025), funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and co-delivered by CHWA and GEM. It has supported six partner museums and heritage organisations—selected for their commitment to working with underserved communities—to embed Creative Health practice. Each organisation developed a pilot project in response to local health and social needs, working within a supportive network.

The programme aimed to improve health and wellbeing through museum and heritage engagement, particularly among individuals and groups facing health inequalities, while also building the sector’s confidence to partner with health and care services. It sought to strengthen the museum and heritage sector’s strategic commitment to wellbeing and encourage a shift in organisational culture. 

The programme’s legacy will include GEM/CHWA sector-wide training on Creative Health for learning professionals working across museums, heritage and cultural settings; and the dissemination of this report and its recommendations, alongside a short film currently being developed by Molineaux Productions. 

Outputs

Working Together has delivered six Creative Health pilot projects and an extensive CPD programme; and promoted its learning and impact to wider audiences through strategic advocacy work. Activities have been guided by the Creative Health Quality Framework and included both in-person and online components. 

Impact

Strengthening sector capability for Creative Health delivery

Museum and heritage professionals described the programme as “unbelievably inspiring.” Staff gained knowledge and practical skills in co-production, safeguarding, adaptive facilitation, and trauma-informed approaches. The combination of structured Creative Professional Development (CPD) opportunities and personalised mentoring helped organisations shift from uncertainty to confidence, moving toward more inclusive, participant-led programming. Although areas for improvement included clearer goal-setting and specific training for volunteers, Working Together was widely recognised as transformative.

Establishing sustainable cross-sector partnerships

The programme fostered deep, trust-based collaborations between museums, freelance artists, community-based organisations, and health and social care providers. Freelancers felt respected and included, while project partners valued museums’ and heritage organisations’ flexible approach to collaboration and the programme’s overall inclusive ethos. These relationships strengthened project delivery and created the foundations for long-term capacity, advocacy and reciprocity across stakeholder groups.

Enhancing relevance through inclusive practice

Working Together effectively engaged communities and individuals affected by trauma, social isolation, and long-term physical and mental health challenges. Museums and heritage organisations piloted co-designed approaches developing small-scale, targeted activities that prioritised trust-building and a sense of belonging among project participants. Facilitators -including some with lived experience—played a crucial role in reshaping museum and heritage practice, helping in-house staff to dismantle systemic barriers, thereby making institutions feel safer and more representative. Participants described the museums as welcoming, creative, and emotionally supportive spaces, and remained engaged throughout the lifespan of projects.

Embedding care to advance organisational wellbeing

Wellbeing was prioritised for participants and museum and heritage staff. Staff involved in the programme reported reduced professional isolation, greater emotional support, and stronger networks. The programme lead’s mentoring role supported museum and heritage teams to set boundaries, reflect strategically, and advocate for change. Internally, many organisations adopted wellbeing-focused policies, training, or board-level roles, marking the start of more systemic change.

Developing museum and heritage leadership in Creative Health

The programme supported a new generation of Creative Health advocates. Early and mid-level staff in particular gained confidence, influencing organisational strategy, and sharing learning with colleagues through presentations at national conferences and industry shows. At the same time, creative approaches to heritage collections—including sensory work and trauma-informed interpretation—reinvigorated how professionals used objects to foster wellbeing.