Aims: Little is known about Local Authority (LA) teams’ involvement in and delivery of research trials. The National Childhood Measurement Programme (NCMP) measures the weight status of 4- to 5- and 10- to 11-year-olds and communicates the results to parents, via letter. However, parents can be surprised by these results. The MapMe2 intervention is a web-based tool delivered by LAs to improve parental acknowledgement and understanding of childhood overweight and obesity. This article focuses on the practicalities and challenges of the research team and LA stakeholders working together. Method: Ten English LAs agreed to collaborate with the research team to test MapMe and deliver the intervention via the NCMP results letter. This qualitative study aimed to collect and compare the experiences of the research team and the LA stakeholders in the implementation and delivery of the trial. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the project delivery processes were online. Results: Nine research team members and 48 stakeholders took part in an interview, focus group or completed a questionnaire. The main challenges identified were communication and dissemination of information, understanding differences between university/LA processes, research involvement being a new concept to LAs and changes in LA staff. Conclusions: Despite challenges faced, those who contributed to the trial displayed enthusiasm and resolve to complete what was required. While taking longer than anticipated, the delivery of the trial and data transfer was completed. Participants provided valuable insights and personal experiences of implementing a trial. The results highlight the complexities and system barriers that academic and LA teams still face in implementing research together. Recent developments to support LA research cultures and the findings from this study will benefit others planning similar collaborations in future.
Background: Childhood obesity in Wales is a significant public health issue, with prevalence rates particularly high among socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. The Welsh Government has responded to this issue by launching the Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy, which includes the Children and Families Programme. The Children and Families Programme takes a whole-systems approach to increase the proportion of children leaving the school foundation phase (aged between three and seven years) at a healthy weight. This study presents a process evaluation of the early-phase implementation of a childhood obesity-focused evaluation, the Children and Families Programme, across three contrasting localities in Wales: Anglesey, Cardiff, and Merthyr Tydfil. Methods: Thirteen stakeholders involved in the Children and Families Programme were recruited through purposive sampling. The participants represented key roles in public health, dietetics, and community engagement. Semi-structured interviews were co-produced with public health leads and conducted online. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data. Results: Four key themes were identified: (1) development of the whole-systems approach, (2) partnership working, (3) systemic challenges, and (4) recommendations for future implementation. The findings emphasised the importance of strong leadership, co-production, and cross-sector collaboration. Challenges emerged around system maturity, siloed working, cultural perceptions of weight, and limited time for embedding systemic change. Conclusion: This process evaluation not only highlights the potential of whole-systems approaches in tackling childhood obesity as a complex public health issue, but also underscores the need for time, trust-building, and deeper community engagement. These findings offer actionable guidance for future whole-systems approach initiatives, particularly in the early stages, aimed at reducing health inequalities and improving childhood health outcomes in and beyond Wales.
Aims: This report investigates the role of creative health assets in addressing health inequalities across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. The project aimed to map and align arts-based interventions delivered by voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations with public health priorities and to explore how these assets respond to hyperlocal needs and contribute to community health and wellbeing. Methods: A scoping exercise was conducted from January to May 2024 as part of a Transdisciplinary Placement (TDP) within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Public Health Research (SPHR). The methodology included a literature and strategy review, analysis of public health data and two online engagement sessions with the NIHR SPHR’s Public Health RESearch for Health (PHRESH) Public Advisory Committee (PAC). Through desk-based research and network engagement, over 100 creative health assets were identified, with Stoke Creates being a key partner and stakeholder. Results: Findings revealed the prevalent but under-recognised and underutilised landscape of creative health assets, including arts organisations, charities and cultural networks. PAC members highlighted the benefits and barriers to engagement, including financial constraints, cultural competency gaps and limited visibility of opportunities. Strategic disconnects between cultural and public health policies were identified, alongside opportunities for future integration. Overall, these assets play a vital role in promoting mental and physical wellbeing, fostering social cohesion and addressing social determinants of health. Conclusion: Creative health assets and arts-based interventions offer significant potential to reduce health inequalities and improve public health outcomes in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. Greater recognition, investment and strategic alignment are needed to embed creative public health approaches within local governance and health systems. Future work will focus on comprehensive asset mapping including associated health outcomes and impact, research on the role of heritage and green-blue infrastructure, and the development of a creative health network for the region.
AIMS:Globally, young people face escalating rates of mental health concerns, while traditional services often remain inaccessible. An emerging body of research suggests that participating in the arts, from everyday engagement to creative arts therapies, may benefit youth mental health, yet gaps persist in equitable access and youth perspectives. This research aimed to better understand young people's definitions of mental health and their perspectives on the role of the arts in supporting their mental health. METHODS:This mixed-methods international study included an online survey, ups, qualitiative focus groups, dyadic interviews with youth aged 16-25 (N = 8) and poetic inquiry. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively (n = 56), while qualitative data from open survey responses and group discussions underwent Reflexive Thematic Analysis (N = 36). Recruitment prioritized diversity in age, geography, and lived experience, with ethical approval from New York University (NYU). RESULTS:Survey respondents revealed broad engagement across art forms, especially visual arts, literary arts, and music, as well as creative arts therapies. Arts participation was frequent, with 40% of respondents engaging daily. Among respondents who reported perceived mental health benefits (n = 44), 82% reported improved mood and 80% reported stress-management benefits. A combined 86% of respondents (n = 32/37) viewed youth voice as either very important or extremely important. Eight focus group participants further enriched the qualitative data. They associated mental health with being flexible and adaptable. Thematic analysis revealed core themes across the focus group and survey: the role of the arts in mental health promotion; art for social connection; personal development through the arts; young people believe art is essential; art leads to transformative experiences; and they identified barriers, enablers, and policy recommendations. Youth identified limited access and competitive environments as barriers, while low-barrier modalities, such as music-listening, fostered inclusion. CONCLUSIONS:Young people across diverse contexts view participating in the arts as essential to mental health and wellbeing, emphasizing that the arts should be embedded in public health and clinical care. They advocate for youth-led, culturally responsive, and multimodal arts initiatives embedded across schools, communities, and healthcare systems. Findings align with WHO youth mental health and country-specific recommendations, calling for greater investment in accessible, youth-driven programming, arts integration, and robust evaluation to capture health and social outcomes. This study reinforces the value of participating in the arts and creative arts therapies as a vital component of youth mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment, offering safe, expressive, and culturally resonant pathways for coping, healing, and thriving.
