ArtSIG Conference | Creative Communities

Creative Communities is the 2025 annual in-person conference hosted by the Arts Special Interest Group. This event aims to unite psychiatrists, artists, and other professionals passionate about the intersection of the arts and mental health.

The theme of Creative Communities emerged from the recognition that numerous arts-based mental health initiatives are operating independently within different communities around the UK. The goal of this conference is to raise awareness, foster meaningful discussion, and provide inspiration and guidance for those looking to implement similar projects in their own regions.

Community plays a crucial role in arts projects, both in creating and connecting people in diverse ways. This year, our focus will be on exploring how the arts can build and strengthen community connections. We will be hearing from a range of speakers working across the UK on projects ranging from small grassroots projects to large RCTs. There will be a variety of practical elements and time to network and connect with others. 

9.00 – 9.30 – Registration

9.30 – 9.45 – Introduction and welcome

9.45 – 10.45 – Keynote - Alice Magic

A Creative Exchange between the Royal Ballet and Opera and CNWL NHS Trust Arts in Health

Speakers:

• Ava Merrell - Ballet Officer, Learning and Participation, RBO
• David Pickering MBE - Learning and Participation Creative Associate and former Royal Ballet dancer, RBO
• Liz Foster - Lead Dance Artist, RBO
• Laura Knight - Central London Arts Psychotherapies lead & Trustwide Arts in health lead, Central North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation trust

10.45 – 11.00 - Tea and coffee break

11.00 – 11.30 – How community gardens can foster creative community

Speakers:

• Dr Lizzie Beavis, from Wild Roots Community Garden, currently working as a Teaching fellow in Newcastle
• Marianne Cice, musician

11.30 – 12.00 - The story of Navaratna - a dancing group from Leicester

A group of Leicester women brought together by their love of dancing, eligibility criteria-you need to be a psychiatrist or married to one!

Speakers:

• Professor Nandini Chakraborty, EIP Consultant, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
• Dr Aditi Chaudhuri, CAMHS Consultant, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
• Dr Nisha Balan, CAMHS Consultant, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust

12.00 – 1.00 – Lunch

Conference attendees have the opportunity to view the ‘In Practice’ exhibition by current RCPsych Artist in Residence, Adam Hines-Green

1.00 – 1.30 – 10 years of Poetic Unity - real community, real change

Speaker:

• Ryan J. Matthews-Robinson, Founder of Poetic Unity
• Plus a guest speaker

1.30 – 2.00 – Relational Arts practice: Responding creatively to BPD diagnosis

Speaker:

• Dr Roanna Mitchell, Lecturer in Drama and Theatre at the School of Arts, University of Kent

2.00 – 2.30 – Mind and Soul choir (with live performance from the choir)

Speaker:

• Nicola Wydenbach, Musical Director of Mind and Soul choir

2.30 – 3.15 – Concurrent workshops (led by Royal Ballet and Opera, Roanna Mitchell, and Wild Roots Community Garden)

3.15 – 3.30 – Tea and coffee break

3.30 – 4.30 – Arts and Social Prescribing for Mental Health: results from recent RCTs across Europe

Speaker:

• Dr Tony Woods, SHAPER Programme manager

4.30 – 4.45 – Closing remarks, questions, discussion

Download the programme

Please read our terms and conditions before making your booking, which covers our:

• Event Cancellation Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Code of Conduct

If you are an artist wishing to book a ticket to the conference, please contact sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk.