Efforts to forge stronger links between arts and health are being stepped up in Carlisle, with hope that cultural experiences could soon be offered on prescription.

Darren Crossley, deputy chief executive of Carlisle City Council, is leading work to bring the two areas together, and believes it will have huge benefits for the local population.

It is part of the wider Carlisle Culture Project, which aims to maximise the city’s cultural assets for the good of local communities.

Next Tuesday feb 19, the first Carlisle Culture Conversation will be launched at the Vallum Gallery, part of the University of Cumbria’s Brampton Road campus.

The council is working alongside Prism Arts, the university and Tullie House, with Mr Crossley leading the first event - asking how arts and culture can help to improve health and wellbeing.

“This is really just the starting point. We believe arts/culture and health/wellbeing are connected and want to have a conversation with health providers and those interested in arts culture in Carlisle,” he said.

His aim is to build a network of local arts providers and health organisations, which can then be used to kickstart a ‘social prescribing’ movement in the future.

Mr Crossley explained that the concept of social prescribing looks at what patients need, other than medication, to help improve their health and wellbeing.

This could be anything from a referral to a gym or exercise class to entry to an art gallery, museum or an opportunity to take part in craft sessions.

Although it has been talked about for years, it is only now that the NHS nationally is really starting to see the value in it.

“The social prescribing phenomena is growing rapidly. The NHS 10-year strategy has a focus on it,” he said.

“There are already pockets of work happening in the county and they are due to publish some national guidelines soon.”

But Mr Crossley wants Carlisle to be ahead of the game, which is why he thinks the time is right to open the conversation.

Last month the university hosted a one-day arts and health conference, which aimed to demonstrate the benefit that one brings to the other.

He said that was a huge success, and laid a foundation they can now build on.

Mr Crossley said it all links in with the work Carlisle City Council and its partners have been involved in for several years, since becoming part of the World Health Organisation’s Healthy Cities Network.

“I think the links with arts and culture are going to play an increasing part of what we do in the future,” he said.

“We are asking what is it that makes a place a healthy and vibrant city? Arts and cultural opportunities are a big aspect of that.”

He said the council is working closely with Cumbria County Council’s public health team and the local NHS.

Long term, he wants to create a social prescribing network - a consortium of providers that GPs can tap into and help patients find the right kind of activity to meet their individual needs.

Mr Crossley said there is strong evidence that being active, connected and forging new interests benefits both mental and physical health.

He said the council’s existing walking for health group is a strong example of this, and there are many other opportunities for similar initiatives.

“Arts on prescription could be anything from painting, crafts - it’s introducing people to something they are going to enjoy,” he said.

Tuesday’s event runs from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Tickets are available from www.eventbrite.co.uk - searching for Carlisle and events this month.