Creative community engagement to address health inequalities in coastal communities

Creative community engagement is essential to bring more people into conversations in ways that feel inclusive, authentic and meaningful. It can help to spark fresh ideas and foster stronger connections that traditional approaches often miss. 

Coastal Community & Creative Health is a three‑year national project (2024–27) that is using creative community engagement in Blackpool, Hastings and Weston‑super‑Mare to tackle deep‑rooted health inequalities in coastal towns. In this session, Barbara Mezes, Sue Flowers and community co-researchers will reflect on the progress of the project to date including:  

• How arts-based and participatory methods can deepen community conversations
• Ways in which creative approaches help residents express what matters to them in accessible, meaningful formats
• Why these methods build trust and open doors for people whose voices are often missing from traditional engagement processes
• Real examples from coastal areas across the UK showing how creativity can support wellbeing, strengthen local identity, and guide more responsive services and policies

Who should join?

This session will be relevant to anyone who is looking to: 

• Deepen their understanding of arts-based and creative approaches to community engagement 
• Explore how alternative models of engagement can support long-term strategies to tackle inequalities in coastal communities
• Shape healthier futures for Blackpool and other coastal towns through collaboration and harnessing community assets 

Location

This session will take place in-person in Meeting Room 3 in the Holiday Inn.

Please see The Big Evidence Fortnight full programme for other sessions you might be interested in.