This report maps the creative health landscape across Essex, examining how arts and cultural activities can contribute to health and wellbeing outcomes in the county. Commissioned by Essex County Council and conducted by Creative Lives between April 2024 and February 2025, the research provides crucial insights into current provision, challenges, and opportunities within Essex’s creative health sector. This report begins to explore how the creative and cultural sector can strategically improve health outcomes in Essex.

Essex is a diverse and historically rich region, one of the most populous counties in the country with a coastline stretching over 350 miles along the North Sea and the Thames Estuary. Throughout history, this porous coastline has been a gateway for numerous visitors and settlers from Romans to the arrival of Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and Normans. These varied historical layers have contributed to Essex’s unique essence and rich heritage.

This multiculturalism has influenced local culinary scenes, festivals, artistic expression, and community activities. With excellent transportation links, the county has developed a vibrant economy spanning quantum technologies, medicine, data science, agriculture, manufacturing, and creative industries.