Movement for Health is a coalition of Scotland’s leading health charities who work to support and inspire those with long term health conditions become more active in a way that works for them and their health condition. Check out their useful tools and resources here
Moniack Mhor have launched the first half of their FREE online songwriting masterclasses for people aged 16-25 and up to 30 if they have lived experience of the care system.
If you know of anyone who’d be interested in songwriting and might have experienced challenges in accessing music in general, please forward these to them.
More info can be found on the website here
Upcoming Classes
13th Jan Song Clinic with Boo Hewerdine
18th Feb Songwriting with Michele Stodart and Romeo Stodart
10th Mar Co-writing with Michele Stodart and Kathryn Williams
24th Feb Community Building with Tamara Schlesinger
Scottish Ballet held an online event for Scottish Ballet Friends talking about their engagement programme and how they work to make dance accessible to everyone.
ACHWS asked if they would be willing to share the video link with our members as we thought it would be of interest. They cover a range of the projects they are involved with, some of the great collaborations in place and share insights into their approach and practice. The recording of the session can be seen here
If you want to keep up to date with their news and work sign up to become a Free Friend of Scottish Ballet.
Following support from Creative Scotland through a £3.2 million Development Fund, a further 13 organisations will now receive Multi-Year Funding (MYF) from April 2026.
When Multi-Year Funding awards were announced in January 2025, 13 organisations were brought into a Development Stream receiving funding and targeted support, with a view of joining the Multi-Year Funding portfolio in 2026/27 once areas for development had been addressed.
All 13 of these organisations have now been reviewed and approved to join the Multi-Year Funding cohort from April 2026. Of the 13 organisations, six were previously regularly funded by Creative Scotland, with the remaining seven being new to year-on-year funding.
Robert Wilson, Chair of Creative Scotland said: “The Development Stream organisations join the largest portfolio of cultural organisations ever to be supported on a multi-year basis, bringing even more stability to Scotland’s culture sector.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “I’m delighted that 13 further culture organisations are to benefit from the stability of Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland, thanks to the Scottish Government’s record investment in culture and the arts.
The organisations are Bothy Project*, Creative Lives, Culture & Business Scotland, CHARTS (Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles)*, Hebrides Ensemble*, Hidden Door*, Marc Brew Company*, Project Ability, Reeltime Music*, NYOS (National Youth Orchestras of Scotland), Scottish Poetry Library, Traverse Theatre and Universal Hall*. *organisations new to year-on-year funding.
This January, Art27 Scotland – the arts charity that takes its mission from Article 27 of the UDHR: “everyone has the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community and to enjoy the arts” – will host an event at the Scottish Parliament focusing on Cultural Rights – what they are, why they matter, and how a rights-based approach to culture could strongly benefit Scotland.
In the context of the proposed Scottish Human Rights Bill (SHRB), Our Right to a Cultural Life in Scotland will feature a range of speakers bringing legal, artistic, policy, and lived-experience perspectives, as well as provide the opportunity for open discussion and debate.
The event will be hosted by Helen Trew, CEO and Founder of Art27 Scotland; sponsored by Claire Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw and Chair of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee; and chaired by Dr Elaine Webster, Reader in Human Rights Law at the University of Strathclyde and Art27 Trustee.
The speakers will address a range of topics:
The event will also showcase stories from artists whose lives have directly been affected by their Cultural Rights, from using art to explore their mixed heritage, to those who have fled unsafe regimes and continued to create art in their new home of Scotland.
Art27 works with artists across the spectrum year-round, curating a multi-artform platform of shared and celebrated creativity and community, which addresses urgent themes and provocations for our society.
Our Right to a Cultural Life in Scotland takes place in the Scottish Parliament’s Holyrood Room on Wednesday 14th January, 6-8pm. In-person tickets are sold out, but audiences can still sign up to participate online. Event page on Eventbrite. Please RSVP via Eventbrite by Thursday 8th January
Healing Arts Scotland (HAS) is back 15th – 19th June 2026 with a nation-wide event celebrating and advocating for improved physical, mental and social health through the arts, culture and heritage. It will be a weeklong series of events happening across the country and online, alongside a national conference day.
Healing Arts Scotland 2026 will focus on three key areas – Arts, Health and Environment, Innovation in Arts and Health, and Arts and Health across Life Stages, with a view to exploring, identifying clear pathways to implementation, embedding and scale.
If you were not able to join the ACHWS online conversation with representatives of the Healing Arts Scotland 2026 steering group here is the video link covering everything you need to know.
It outlines what Healing Arts Scotland is, what was achieved in Scotland through the 2024 event and how you can get involved in 2026.
Key takeaways about 2026 included:
Regional Events and National Conference Programme
Monday: Orkney, Aberdeen/Grampian, & Lewis.
Tuesday: Dumfries & Galloway, Dundee, & Shetland.
Wednesday: Edinburgh.
Thursday: National conference in Edinburgh at the National Gallery of Scotland
Friday: Glasgow and CMO NHS Conference.
The days are still in the development phase and there is a small group of people shaping and coordinating each of the days, so if anyone would like to get involved or make suggestions, please email info@achws.org and we can pass that on to the relevant person.
There will also be an online conference programme arranged by ACHWS to ensure those not able to be in the room can still join the conversation and hear from a range of speakers.
During the week of HAS, the Chief Medical Officer has aligned the timing of his Realistic Medicine conference in Glasgow and work is underway to explore how this conference and the HAS week can connect to mutually support each other.
There will also be an open programme enabling anyone who wants to get involved and do their own event to do so, and these would be listed on the HAS website. There will be a call out for the events calendar opening in January.
Join our open conversation on 4th February 11.00am-12.30pm
The Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS) national network was established to link together, advocate for and support those working at the interface of arts, culture, health and wellbeing in Scotland.
ACHWS’s aim is to advance health and wellbeing in Scotland through the promotion and practice of arts and cultural work across a range of health, social, cultural, care, and community contexts.
Our vision is for Culture to be recognised as transformative to health and wellbeing and accessible to everyone in Scotland.
We have made considerable progress and we are now looking to develop how the network can inform the debate that will effect policy change in culture and health strategies and frameworks within Scotland.
We know how important positive human connections and creativity are, and this is an exciting time where there is an emerging national cross sector recognition of this – the positive impact that arts and cultural activities and practice brings to our communities.
Often, within the network we are already involved in taking these practical steps locally, making it happen, collaborating, innovating; whilst navigating complex relationships with local authorities, health & social care partnerships and regional health boards. At ACHWS we want to make sure that we can positively influence and contribute to the further practical development of these exciting policy intentions.
We need your practice experience, creative thinking and energy to make sure that we can continue to develop and nurture the positive relationships with government.
Places are limited so book your place now
ACHWS want to celebrate your work, share effective practice and evidence the quality, scope and range of practice across Scotland. We need your help to build a library of Case Studies and would like your contributions.
ACHWS we are looking to advance health and wellbeing in Scotland through the promotion and practice of arts and cultural work across a range of health, social, care, and community contexts.
Case Studies will be added to our website and support wider ACHWS activity to share practice, inspire the sector and create conversations, but we also get requests to share practice examples a range of partners and stakeholders.
Providing case studies to key stakeholders allows us to showcase your work, raise awareness and represent the arts, culture, health and wellbeing practice as well us supporting ACHWS to lead the debate and influence policy change in culture and health strategies and frameworks within Scotland through evidence sharing and informed through lived experience and practice.
For example, we are currently looking for a number of case studies to present to NHS Scotland in January to support the impact of arts and culture on health and wellbeing outcomes.
We are looking for your practice, you and your participants experiences, the impacts and outcomes, any sharable resources you have produced and any short video clips, images or of any artwork you are happy to share.
We have a short outline we can send you to complete but, in many cases, organisations are sharing pre-existing case study formats and we are adapting them. Nothing will be used or shared until the project, artist or organisation has approved the final version.
Please get in touch if you want to share any case studies, project presentations, organisational overviews etc. for us to work from and feel free to share the request with other organisations, health professionals and practitioners in your own networks. Call Nancy, Development Coordinator on to discuss on 07719565059 or email us at info@achws.org
Chair of the Board of Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland
Deadline: Deadline: Friday 16 January 2026 at 5pm
Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS) are looking to recruit a new Chair to join our board of Trustees to start early in 2026.
If you have leadership skills, can think strategically, are passionate about the role of arts and culture in health and wellbeing outcomes and want to make a difference at a local and national level, we’d love to hear from you.
ACHWS is Scotland’s national network linking together, advocating for and supporting those working at the interface of arts, culture, health and wellbeing in Scotland.
We seek to advance health and wellbeing in Scotland through the promotion and practice of arts and cultural work across a range of health, social, cultural, care, and community contexts. Our vision is for arts and culture to be recognised as transformative to health and wellbeing and accessible to everyone in Scotland.
Being the Chair and a Trustee at Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland is a chance to:
We are also recruiting a number of Trustees. See details on our website.
Job description
The Chair of ACHWS will support the Board to deliver the charity’s mission to link together, advocate for and support those working at the interface of arts, culture, health and wellbeing in Scotland.
They will also support, and work closely with, the charity’s Development Coordinator to ensure that agreed objectives of the charity are met.
This includes acting as a public advocate and ambassador for the charity, working with the charity’s partners and, with the rest of the Board, overseeing the delivery of the charity’s strategy.
Role of the Chair
Strategic Leadership
Governance and Compliance
Advocacy and Collaboration
You must demonstrate evidence of all the following:
You will also need to demonstrate evidence of at least one of the following:
Applicants for the role of Chair should have experience of charity board membership, and ideally should have been a Chair in another charitable organisation, though this
is not essential.
Term and Commitment
Initial 3-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second term. The time commitment is approx. two days a month. All Trustees, including the Chair, are also expected to attend Board meetings, which are held four times a year. These are held online and in person. There is also an annual Board development day that Trustees are expected to attend. Travel, accommodation and childcare expenses are available for all meetings for those who live outwith Edinburgh, as well as support with access requirements and reasonable adjustments. This is a voluntary position.
Reporting to: The Board
Being part of ACHWS at an exciting time of the charity’s growth and development is a rewarding opportunity to make a difference, grow the network, and use your valuable experience at a national level.
You’ll join a supportive group of Trustees who are passionate about the potential of arts and culture to deliver health and wellbeing outcomes and who are excited to welcome new voices and perspectives.
Applications
Please send a CV (2 pages max) & covering letter (800 words max) stating suitability for the role and why you would like to be Chair to nancy@achws.org by Friday 16th January at 5.00pm. Interviews will take place online on Monday 16th February.
If you’d like an informal chat before applying, just drop us an email at nancy@achws.org and for more information visit www.achws.org
Please see the ACHWS Strategy here
Trustees of the Board of Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland
Deadline: Friday 16 January 2026 at 5pm
Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS) is looking for several new enthusiastic trustees to join our board to help us to achieve our goals.
ACHWS is Scotland’s national network linking together, advocating for and supporting those working at the interface of arts, culture, health and wellbeing in Scotland.
We seek to advance health and wellbeing in Scotland through the promotion and practice of arts and cultural work across a range of health, social, cultural, care, and community contexts. Our vision is for arts and culture to be recognised as transformative to health and wellbeing and accessible to everyone in Scotland.
Being a Trustee at Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland is a chance to:
Although some previous Board experience would be beneficial it is not essential. We are looking for prospective Trustees who can demonstrate an interest and commitment to ACHWS’s purpose and values.
We are looking to fill a number of positions and are especially keen to hear from applicants from all sectors of the community, particularly those with experience in any of the following areas:
– Artists practicing in arts and culture for health and/or wellbeing
– Health and social care
– Budgeting and finance
– Strategic business development and planning.
– Fundraising, marketing and promotion
– HR, personnel and supporting people
– Charity legislation
– Cultural or arts practice for health and wellbeing outcomes
We welcome applications from people of all ages and from all communities across Scotland. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and/or LGBTQ+ individuals. We are also keen to hear from those living or working in rural areas in Scotland. See full details on our website – Trustee link to be added once final
Term and Commitment
Initial 3-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second term. Trustees are expected to attend Board meetings, which are held four times a year. These are a mix of hybrid and in person, usually held in Edinburgh. There is also an annual Board development day that Trustees are expected to attend. Any required travel, accommodation, childcare and caring expenses are available for in-person meetings, as well as support with access requirements and reasonable adjustments. This is a voluntary position.
Being part of ACHWS at an exciting time of the charity’s growth and development is a rewarding opportunity to make a difference, grow the network, and use your valuable experience at a national level.
You’ll join a supportive group of Trustees who are passionate about the potential of arts and culture to deliver health and wellbeing outcomes and who are excited to welcome new voices and perspectives.
Application Process
Please send a CV (2 pages max) & covering letter (400 words max) stating your suitability for the role and why you would like to be a Trustee to nancy@achws.org by 5pm on Friday 16th January 2026
If you’d like an informal chat before applying, just drop us an email at nancy@achws.org and for more information visit www.achws.org
We are also recruiting for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees. See details on our website.
