For people working in the creative health sector and related fields to come together for nourishment, knowledge and support.

About the conference

We're excited to announce that the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance's conference will run from 7-9 October 2026 at Barnsley Civic.

You can see the full programme here or listen to an audio version here.

Our theme for 2026 is Common Ground and we will be learning from people in our own and related fields about how we can come together to affect deep and much-needed systemic change.

We'll be guided by the Creative Health Quality Principles, to build a gathering that is person-centred, equitable, safe, creative, collaborative, realistic, reflective and sustainable.

Header Image: from workshop with Leon Clowes, Making Change 2023. Photo Michael Aiden.

Conference Days

Wednesday 7 October, 1pm - 5.30pm (6.30 - 9pm evening event); Mid afternoon drinks and cake + a hot evening meal and drinks

Thursday 8 October, 10 - 5.30pm; Lunchtime buffet with drinks + mid afternoon drinks and cake

Friday 9 October, 9.45am - 1pm; Mid morning hot drinks

Bursary callout here! (Apply by 7 September)

In line with our Climate policy, all food served will be vegetarian and we will not be providing bottles of water. We discourage extensive air travel and encourage the use of public transport where possible, and where this doesn't conflict with access needs. Please let us know about any allergies, intolerances and preferences when you book your ticket.

Who is it for?

Anyone interested in creativity/ culture, health and wellbeing, and how to work effectively across different sectors and settings to bring about positive social change.

We imagine our audience will be a mixture of people with lived experience of using creativity and culture to support their own health and wellbeing, health and care professionals, freelancers and organisations in arts, culture and heritage, the research community, and leaders from across voluntary and community sector, health and local authorities.

Accessibility is important to us.

We understand that access is a highly personal and ever evolving area of need, and that barriers to access come in many forms. Read more about our commitment to creating an accessible event here.

Our access support in 2026 includes:

Free essential companion tickets for those who would otherwise struggle to attend

Main panels supported with live captioning

Quiet spaces

Support staff and marshalls, including mental health first aiders across sites

Physical signage and way-finding

Shorter sessions and regular breaks

Please let us know how we can support you to participate in this event via the booking form or write to Lara Eggleton at lara@culturehealthandwellbeing.org.uk.

If you require BSL support, please inform us as soon as possible. We would also like to know in advance if you have childcare responsibilities, so that we can potentially build in support for this.

Tickets

We have worked to keep ticket costs as low as possible. Please select a ticket that reflects your work. Here are our definitions for large and small organisations.

Large organisations:10 + FTE employees or more

Small organisations: under 10 + FTE employees or more

Bursaries

There are bursaried spaces available for people in Barnsley, West Yorkshire, Greater London and the North East of England. Apply here by 7 September.

Companion Tickets

We offer free companion tickets to those with access needs, who would otherwise struggle to attend the event. Please contact lara@culturehealthandwellbeing.org.uk for more information.

Sponsorship

If you'd like to support the conference in exchange for advertising opportunities, please find our sponsorship packages here!

Planning your trip

Find out more about travelling to Barnsley and where to stay via this link.

NB: There is limited town centre accommodation, so do book early if you would like to stay close to the conference venues.

Refund Policy

For in-person tickets, we can provide a refund minus the Eventbrite processing costs until two weeks before the conference. After that point we regret that we can't provide refunds, but we may be able to accept a transfer of your ticket to another holder.

Please contact finance@culturehealthandwellbeing.org.uk with any requests for a refund.

Description supplied by the event organiser.