Healthy Communities, Sustainable Places conference

27 January 2011

*UPDATE: This conference took place in February 2011, post-conference resources are now available to view and download*

How can the arts be used to give individuals and communities around us better chances in life and better health?  Healthy Communities, Sustainable Places is a one-day conference to be held in Sturminster Newton in Dorset on the 28th February 2011. It will look at how the strategies proposed in the 2010 Marmot Review are being applied by artists and arts organisations across the country, exploring some inspirational and effective examples. Speakers include Adam Sutherland, Director of Grizedale Arts, Simon Morrissey of Foreground, Anna Best from Road for the Future, Anna Ledgard of Eastfeast, Claire Wyatt from Kilter Theatre and Katy Hallett, Arts and Travelling Landscapes Director from Sustrans.

Delegates will see presentations from experienced practitioners who have taken a range of creative approaches to reducing social isolation, building on community capital, encouraging active travel and improving the food environment.  Expect to be engaged through theatre and encouraged to share your own knowledge and experience in a choice of afternoon workshops. Your participation will help to create post-conference resources to be used to further challenge, inform and persuade health commissioners. There will be a chance to network over a delicious lunch featuring locally grown, seasonal organic produce provided by The Peasant Evolution.

Willis Newson is programming and delivering this conference which is funded by Arts Council England South West as part of Wide Open Space. It has been initiated by The Dorset Design and Heritage Forum on behalf of the Dorset Strategic Partnership, in partnership with Arts and Health South West.