“Art is the forgotten fifth pillar of health,” writes Daisy Fancourt. In Art Cure she adds to the growing evidence confirming what humankind has long intuited: art is good for our wellbeing. buff.ly/hEEV2DR

Daisy Fancourt: “The evidence increasingly shows that the arts are fundamental to human health” www.songlines.co.uk/content/feat...

My World: Daisy Fancourt – “The evidence increasingly shows that the arts are fundamental to human health” - Songlines

Jane Cornwell meets a scientist and author whose work explores the effects of music on our health and wellbeing

songlines.co.uk

Our INNATE Framework identified 139 potential active ingredients that may explain how arts engagement effects health & wellbeing. It continues to be used to support the design, implementation & evaluation of #Arts in #Health activities: sbbresearch.org/projects/ing... 🎥 youtu.be/wZPIzzRofpw

Join us for October’s Monthly Methods Webinar, where Dr Norha Vera San Juan & Dr Sam Martin will present: “Analysing Big Qualitative Data: Current Methods and Future Directions” 📅 22nd Oct, 1-2pm (GMT+1) 🎟️ Free, online, and open to all 🔗Register via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grace-epi-...

In June we had the pleasure of spending a week in Edinburgh for our flagship Arts Health Research Intensive! You can now read all about it on our blog: sbbresearch.org/arts-health-... A big thanks to our hosts, @stcolumbashospice.bsky.social, partners & our wonderful cohort!

Interested in learning about the power of #SocialPrescribing for #Children & #YoungPeople? Our free online course provides practical tools & resources to help you implement social prescribing, developed in partnership with NASP. 👉 Complete in your own time: nasp.thinkific.com/products/cou...

“When we regularly engage in the arts it’s a low-intensity psychological therapy, it increases neurotransmitters like dopamine that are involved in happiness, and reduces stress hormones like cortisol.” - Professor Daisy Fancourt www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07...

Daily dose of art as important to health as 5-a-day

Research show art engagement not only slows down ageing but it is a ‘human necessity’

telegraph.co.uk

How can social prescribing be more accessible and inclusive for autistic people? In case you missed it this Spring, we worked with @autistica.org.uk to co-produce a best practice guide, with practical recommendations. Read more here: sbbresearch.org/making-socia...

"Mental health care shouldn’t begin and end in the consulting room." @danhayesphd.bsky.social Read about new research into the impact of dance programmes and #SocialPrescribing for young people 💃 www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Taking salsa classes can improve mental health, Oxford study suggests

Researchers find dance reduced depressive symptoms and social anxiety in young people in eight-week trial

theguardian.com

We’re excited to announce September’s Monthly Methods Webinar with Dr Jess Bone on “What do people do all day? Exploring time trends and daily patterns of health-enhancing behaviours through time use surveys”. 📅 Tues 29th Sept, 12-1pm (GMT+1) 🔗 Register now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grace-epi-...

Social prescribing may help adolescents waiting for specialist mental health services by improving their resilience, behaviour and relationships with others, suggests a new study by a UCL team. www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/ju...

Social prescribing may help young people awaiting mental health care

Social prescribing, which connects people to arts and exercise activities and other sources of support, may help adolescents waiting for specialist mental health services by improving their…

ucl.ac.uk

Are arts and crafts the forgotten 5-a-day? Check out the new article featuring Professor Fancourt's habit-building tips to support your #CreativeHealth 👇 www.marieclaire.co.uk/health-fitne...

I Spent 3 Months Prioritising My Creative Health—Here's Why It's Essential For Healthy Ageing

Are arts and crafts the forgotten 5-a-day?

marieclaire.co.uk

Last week we were joined by Prof Pier Luigi Sacco for a thought-provoking Monthly Methods webinar on "The Cultural Exposome" - the totality of cultural, linguistic, creative & symbolic exposures across the lifespan. 🎥 You can now watch the recording on our website: sbbresearch.org/grace-epi-mo...

📚 What's on your summer reading list for #NationalYearOfReading2026? ⭐ We're delighted to see Prof Daisy Fancourt's book #ArtCure featured in @bookriot.bsky.social's roundup of the best books of 2026 so far! Explore the full list: bookriot.com/best-books-o... @literacytrust.org.uk

Best Books of 2026 (So Far)

These are our picks for the best books of 2026 so far, books published between January 1 and June 30 of this year.

bookriot.com

New research published today! 📣 Our Wellbeing While Waiting study shows that #SocialPrescribing may help young people awaiting #MentalHealth care by improving their resilience, behaviour and relationships with others 📈 Blog: sbbresearch.org/social-presc... Paper: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Global interest in the health benefits of the arts is gaining momentum with more governments recognising that creativity should be embedded across national health systems. Wales and Greece, are the latest countries exploring in depth how the arts can boost health and wellbeing. buff.ly/fSTxxus

🎨 It's the final day of Create Week, but there's still time to get involved! Today's spotlight is Flower Origami, a relaxing paper-folding activity that transforms simple materials into beautiful blooms. 📥 Download all 7 activities https://f.mtr.cool/namajonabo

How can science connect more meaningfully with the public? At #HayFestival, the John Maddox Conversation showed how science thrives within culture—through dialogue, interdisciplinarity and access. Read more: spklr.io/63322EOiUa #Health #Arts #SciComms

📣 One week until our next online Monthly Methods webinar! Prof Pier Luigi Sacco will present on The Cultural Exposome - the totality of cultural, linguistic, creative, & symbolic exposures across the lifespan. 📅Thursday 9th July 12-1pm 🎟️Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/grace-epi-...

Our latest newsletter is out! Find out about: 🎨 Our latest research, including the molecular biology of arts engagement 💻 Upcoming webinars & exciting Art Cure events 📰 Recent media highlights of our research 🔗 Read more: mailchi.mp/ucl/sbb-june...

Looking for some inspiration? #CreateWeek starts tomorrow! Explore 7 free creative activities from @createcharity.bsky.social across 7 days this July: createarts.org.uk/createweek/

Create Charity@createcharity.bsky.social · last mo.

🎨Professor Daisy Fancourt @ucl-sbb.bsky.social has spent years researching the relationship between the arts and wellbeing. Her conclusion is clear: creativity isn't a luxury; it's an essential part of living healthier, more connected lives.  🎉 Join us for #CreateWeek 1-7 July!

Dig into the June edition of the Social Prescribing Youth Network (#SPYN) newsletter for: 🌏 An update from our Director on international engagement 💡 New blogs & latest resources 📌 Community noticeboard full of opportunities, including a call for evidence Happy reading! 🔗 mailchi.mp/ucl/spyn-jun26

Did you know that members of the Social Biobehavioural Research Group have authored over 300 papers! 👉 Browse the full library here: sbbresearch.org/research-pap...

Next month it’s #CreateWeek and the theme for 2026 is #Connect!🎨 Our research shows the value of arts engagement for our health. Throughout the week you can take part in seven creative activities. Register your interest here & download the free activities: createarts.org.uk/createweek/.

Are you an early career researcher looking to understand how #Arts, #Culture and #HeritageActivities can improve #Health and #Wellbeing? Explore our free online course to learn more: sbbresearch.org/arts-culture...

It's #LonelinessAwarenessWeek when we join Marmalade Trust in raising awareness of loneliness 🧡 We're proud to be contributing to tackling loneliness through our research – we're investigating how best to support lonely pupils in schools 🏫 Learn more: sbbresearch.org/projects/ina...

Who gets access to creativity, and why does it matter for our health? Professor Daisy Fancourt’s research shows that engaging in the arts can improve wellbeing and reduce stress, but access to creativity is essential. @ucl-sbb.bsky.social @ucliehc.bsky.social @creativelivescl.bsky.social

Coming up we have two exciting online GRACE-Epi Monthly Methods webinars! 📅 9th July - Prof Pier Luigi Sacco on The Cultural Exposome 📅 17th August - Prof Cláudia Libânio on Design for Health: Inclusive and Participatory Practices in the Global South Book now: sbbresearch.org/grace-epi-mo...

Thank you to our incredible delegates and everyone who joined us at this year’s Arts Health Research Intensive! 🎓 It was such a pleasure to spend the week learning together and building new connections #AHRI26 @stcolumbashospice.bsky.social @whoeurope.bsky.social

Professor Daisy Fancourt's book #ArtCure is shortlisted for tonight's 2026 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction! 📚 Details below on how to watch the ceremony 👇

Women's Prize@womensprize.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Just a few hours to go… Don't forget to tune in at 6.30pm tonight as we announce the winners of the 2026 Women's Prizes for Fiction and Non-Fiction, live from Bedford Square Gardens, London. Watch the ceremony over on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/live/P5RLnMj... #WomensPrize