The Heart Project

In partnership with Spotlight, and Queen Mary University of London Kazzum Arts is delivering a new project tackling health inequalities among young people across the borough.

The HEART Project is a two-year programme that will explore the powerful connection between creative engagement and health and wellbeing. The project will generate vital insights to inform how creative health services are designed and delivered – particularly for young people facing significant socioeconomic challenges.

Using artist-led approaches and youth voice methodologies and underpinned by research and support from Queen Mary University of London, The Heart Project aims to drive change in how inclusive and relevant creative health provision is developed for 11–19 year olds, and up to 25-year-old with SEND, across the borough of Tower Hamlets.

The programme will be delivered across four main workstreams utilising a number of local networks and partners: 

Creative Health Agency (CHA): a training opportunity for young people interested in arts, culture & health & wellbeing to gain leadership, research & campaigning skills by forming a consultative body to embed youth voice in decision-making about creative health services for young people in Tower Hamlets.

Commissioned Creative Consultations: Experienced artists will develop creative consultations across the borough using methods such as podcasting & forum theatre to engage diverse groups of young people with their health and wellbeing.

Participatory Action Research (PAR): Identified groups of Young People who experience health inequities, Health care professionals, artists & researchers will develop creative Participatory Action Research projects that generate new knowledge & increase engagement & understanding between Health care professionals and young people.

Upskilling and Artist Training: Project delivery partners Kazzum Arts, Health Tree and London Arts and Health will develop training that supports local artists to upskill & develop their work in creative health with young people.