The happiness of young people in the UK has fallen significantly over the past 20 years, with a major international survey ranking Britain fourth out of 74 countries for life satisfaction.
Professor Neil Humphrey. Image credit: University of Manchester
However, ongoing research into creative health by the University of Manchester is finding an increasingly positive link between young people’s wellbeing and their participation in arts, culture, entertainment and sport.
In a new article, Stephanie Rae, Samuel Huw-Jones and Professor Neil Humphrey write that findings from recent research conducted as part of the #BeeWell project show that “people engaged in a wide range of or selective activities” found that people demonstrated “improved happiness compared to one year later.” It’s for people who are generally low on engagement. ”
But they caution that “our research shows that there are inequalities in the frequency with which young people participate in arts, cultural, recreational, and sporting activities,” including LGBTQ+ youth and socio-economic Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to engage in sports, other physical activity, or use computers. game.
Scholars highlight a growing body of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and economic value of Supporting Participation in Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Sport (SPACES) in addressing the youth well-being crisis. are.
This includes the 2023 Creative Health Review by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Care, which concluded that ‘the long-term value of investment in creative health must be recognized. “Appropriate resources should be allocated by the Ministry of Finance.”
In a paper published in Policy@Manchester, Rae, Huw Jones and Humphrey write that the New Labor government’s manifesto, which won the general election, will address “the mental health epidemic that is paralyzing the lives of children and young people in particular”. He reminded readers that he had promised to take action. ”
Experts from the University of Manchester wrote: Such strategies should consider barriers to young people’s participation in creative activities. Central to local and national strategies is listening to the voices of young people as this work takes shape. ”
They added: “Addressing inequalities in participation requires increasing in- and out-of-school provision, with a focus on creating a diverse range of activities and programs that are accessible and attractive to all.” continues.
Several examples have been suggested of existing regional activities that could shape national strategies, including the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate. The Baccalaureate “offers young people from the age of 14 an ambitious pathway to a high-quality technical qualification that combines core academic skills with performing arts and design.” We offer a direct route into the creative, cultural and sports employment sectors. ”
Ley, Hugh Jones and Humphrey advocate the implementation of a National Creative Health Strategy, which is “co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office, with strong involvement from the Department for Education, the Department for Health and Social Care and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport”.
They wrote: “Our research can inform such strategies, which can only be truly realized through a unified effort involving researchers, educators, policy makers, practitioners, and young people. Only by working together can SPACES become a solid catalyst for benefits that resonate across generations.”
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University of Manchester
