ArtSIG Conference | Creative Communities
One day event
Timings | 09.30am - 4.45pm |
Location | RCPsych 21 Prescot Street, London |
CPD | Up to six hours subject to peer approval |
Non-member | £130 |
---|---|
Consultant | £120 |
SAS Doctor | £90 |
Resident Doctor (Higher) | £90 |
Resident Doctor (Core) | £85 |
Student Associate / Foundation Doctor | £45 |
Patient / Carer | £45 |
Subsidised | £45 |
Artist | £45 |

Event Information
Overview
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.
Programme
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
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
Speakers:
- Professor Daisy Fancourt, Professor of Psychobiology & Epidemiology/ Head, Social Biobehavioural Research Group/ Director, World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Arts & Health
- Dr Tony Woods, SHAPER Programme manager
4.30 – 4.45 – Closing remarks, questions, discussion
Venue
The event will take place at the:
免费黑料网, 21 Prescot Street, London E1 8BB.
View our visiting us page for further details.
Terms and conditions
Please read our terms and conditions before making your booking, which covers our:
- Event Cancellation Policy
- Privacy Policy
- Code of Conduct
Tickets for artists
If you are an artist wishing to book a ticket to the conference, please contact sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk.