STIRLING CULTURAL STRATEGY CATALYST

Social Prescribing

Creativity for Health and Wellbeing

What is this?

Social prescribing connects people with arts and cultural activities as part of their health and wellbeing support — alongside, not instead of, conventional healthcare. It recognises that our health is shaped by far more than medicine alone: by connection, creativity, purpose, and belonging.

In Stirling, this is not a new idea. Arts and culture have long played a demonstrable role in supporting people's health across the Forth Valley area. This catalyst aims to build on that foundation — creating more joined-up, accessible pathways between health providers and the rich cultural life Stirling already has to offer.

Our vision

To be a leading area in Scotland for integrated health and creative practice — where accessing culture as part of your care is straightforward, well-supported, and available to everyone across the Stirling area.

Get involved

Are you a health or social care professional, a GP practice, community link worker, or a cultural organisation interested in developing social prescribing activity in Stirling? We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch →

Updates

This page will be updated with news, case studies, and data from our annual sector survey. Check back for progress updates.

What's happening in Stirling?

Artspace — Artlink Central Artspace is a non-statutory mental health service commissioned by Stirling Council, offering 10-week blocks of arts activity for adults with a diagnosis of a mental health condition. Over seven years of data, the programme has consistently supported people to build confidence, social connection, and independence — with half of all service users moving on to positive destinations including college, volunteering, and employment. The average cost per outcome is around £2,069 per service user — representing strong value for a service that can transform lives.

Create and Converge — Macrobert Arts Centre and Artlink Central Create and Converge was a participatory arts and social prescribing project delivered in partnership by Macrobert Arts Centre and Artlink Central, in collaboration with NHS Forth Valley. Working with 68 young people across 6 groups — including care-experienced young people, young carers, LGBTQ+ young people, and young people with additional support needs — the project paired artists with lived experience of mental health challenges alongside young people to create art together. 70.5% of participants felt more comfortable talking about their feelings after taking part, and 50% reported positive changes in their mental health. The project has generated important learning about how social prescribing can be embedded in non-clinical settings, and what young people need to lead their own care journeys.

Big Noise Raploch — Sistema Scotland Sistema Scotland's Big Noise programme has been based in Raploch since 2008, using music and nurturing relationships to help over 500 children and young people realise their potential and strengthen their communities.

Stirling Health and Care Village Scotland's first integrated health, social care and third sector hub features artist residencies, dementia-inclusive arts activity, and commissioned public artworks — demonstrating what integrated creative health practice can look like in a purposefully designed environment.

University of Stirling & Artlink Central — Creative Collaborations A new pilot programme is currently running, using the university's art collection to support students experiencing mental health difficulties, developed in partnership with Artlink Central.

Resources

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National