We are proud to be involved in The Hera Partnership – a new arts & health programme delivered across Brighton & Hove. It is a 3-year project running from 2020-23, to provide creative activities for people living with complex or long-term health challenges, which can be accessed for free through their GP surgery. This includes creative workshops, training, access support for low confidence, and public events to showcase the creativity and diversity of Brighton & Hove.

D&A have joined the partnership, along with three of Brighton & Hove’s leading arts and health organisations; the Robin Hood Health Foundation (RHHF), The Old Market (TOM) and Creative Future (CF). Our role in the partnership involves bringing our lived experience of disability, our knowledge of enabling assistive technologies and strategy-led support and an inclusive intersectional approach to accessing cultural activities as a route to improved health and well-being.

We believe art and culture should be available and accessible to anyone, regardless of socioeconomics, health, age, gender and so on. The cultural capital we amass through education and exposure to different cultural experiences plays a fundamental role in shaping opportunities and the social mobility afforded to us. It is imperative that the arts are inclusive, in order not to further stratify our society. The arts expand our horizons, stretch our creativity, act as a therapeutic outlet and allow us to see and express things differently.  We are proud to be involved in a project that champions an inclusive approach to the arts!