Arts engagement can lead to direct economic benefits alongside health outcomes
New research commissioned by the Arts Council of Wales has concluded that engagement with the arts not only plays a vital role in supporting public health and reducing pressure on essential services, but also has a direct economic benefit for individuals and services.
Conservative estimates suggest that engagement with the arts delivers at least £588 million in annual health and wellbeing benefits across Wales, in addition to delivering considerable wellbeing benefits to people of all ages.
Professor Vicky Karkou, a co-author of this report with health economists from Bangor University, asserts that this is time for celebration: this is the first time the economic impact of the arts on the NHS and social care in Wales has been investigated at a national level.
Professor Karkou, Director of the Research Centre for Arts and Wellbeing at Edge Hill University, said: “As a Research Centre specialising in identifying what forms of arts interventions work for whom, we are proud of this report for its important contribution.
“The arts and arts psychotherapies do not only contribute to improving people’s mental and physical health but also lead to important economic benefits. These benefits can be seen across the art forms and across age groups.
“Monetising the contribution of arts engagement for the population of Wales, as well as of projects supported by the Arts Council of Wales, are important examples with wide significance requiring careful attention from policy-makers and service providers.”
The report, which used population data and attendance and participation data provided by Arts Council of Wales, also found that:
- A dance for strength and balance programme has the potential to save £5m a year in healthcare costs by preventing falls amongst the elderly.
- If arts programmes could reach 5% of young people in NHS mental health pathways, this would generate annual mental health and wellbeing benefits of £9.5m.
- If 5% of all adult mental health GP appointments were avoided following engagement in the arts, this would save £17m per year.
- Arts programmes that support the health and wellbeing of NHS staff have the potential to save up to £3.5m a year through reductions in staff sickness and attrition costs.
Study finds self-guided behavioural app helps children with epilepsy sleep earlier
An evidence-based web app has helped children with epilepsy to fall asleep on average 16.5 minutes earlier.
The CASTLE Online Sleep Intervention (COSI) app, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, is designed to be used by parents and children. It guides them with techniques to improve sleep and features videos and written guides based on clinically-informed sleep intervention behavioural techniques.
Edge Hill supported a new UK-wide clinical trial of the app, led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London.
Professor Lucy Bray, who led the parent and children advisory panel, and Professor Bernie Carter led on the qualitative and public patient involvement and engagement components. Parents and children were interviewed to explore their perceptions of the trial, the COSI app itself and their understanding of how sleep impacts on the child’s epilepsy.
Professor Carter explained that many parents joined the study to find out more about improving their own child’s sleep and to help create evidence to support other families. Findings showed that some parents did not appreciate that poor sleep could negatively affect their child’s seizures.
“There is good evidence of a complex bi-directional relationship between sleep and epilepsy, we know that sleep is one of the top concerns for parents of children with epilepsy, and we know that improving sleep can reduce seizures for some children with epilepsy.
“Our findings show that many of the parents in our study had not found it easy to get hold of credible, accessible, relevant information and guidance that they could use to improve their child’s sleep. The children we interviewed also wanted to know more about sleep and how to sleep better.
“We propose that health professionals should ensure all parents of children with epilepsy receive tailored sleep information.”
Read the full report in the Nature journal.
Edge Hill professor joins expert panel to help shape government SEND policy
Professor Peter Hick, a leading expert in Inclusive Education at Edge Hill University, was part of a high-level expert panel advising the government on the future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) policy.
Professor Hick contributed vital evidence to the Inclusion Taskforce, an initiative established by the Institute of Public Policy and Research (IPPR). The Taskforce is dedicated to addressing the systemic challenges within England’s SEND framework and providing a roadmap for meaningful reform.
As part of a select group of 10 professors from across the UK, Professor Hick contributed to discussions informing a comprehensive report aimed at shaping the government’s ongoing SEND review.
Professor Hick said: “The SEND system is in crisis and the need for change is urgent. Children identified with SEND, their families and teachers deserve much more coherent and well-resourced support.
“Policy makers and school leaders often have limited access to academic research in this field yet there is much to be gained from collaborating to create more inclusive solutions. So it was a privilege to be invited to contribute to the Expert Panel for the Inclusion Task Force report.”
The government’s highly anticipated SEND review was delayed until spring 2026, allowing ministers to consider new evidence, including the findings and recommendations put forward by the Inclusion Taskforce.
Edge Hill University remains at the forefront of this conversation, advocating for a system that is not only better resourced but more human-centred and effective for every learner.
Find out more about research at Edge Hill University.
Researchers find prescribing activities in nature improves wellbeing
A team of Edge Hill researchers have published a new evidence review which explores the impact of green social prescribing.
Professor Michelle Howarth, Dr Nicola Relph and Ken Fletcher collaborated with The National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) to research how nature-based projects – like walking schemes, community gardening, green gyms, and outdoor arts and cultural programmes – can support people living with mental health problems, cancer, neurological conditions and chronic pain, among other conditions.
The report shows that these types of projects can help people to feel calmer, happier, less anxious or depressed, and can help reduce fatigue and discomfort.
Professor Howarth said: “The evidence reports that people who are offered a nature-based intervention through a green social prescription experience noticeably improved wellbeing outcomes, not just in terms of wellbeing, but also in relation to how supported, hopeful and able to manage their health they feel.
“Hence, engaging in nature‑based activities can make a meaningful difference to people’s mental and physical health, particularly for those living with long‑term or complex conditions.”
January 16, 2026
