Intercultural Roots for Public Health

Intercultural Roots for Public Health, a trailblazing charity, has swiftly become a key proponent in the realm of creative health both in the UK and globally. Its work in arts for health and social change not only raises awareness but actively demonstrates the societal benefits of art practices. With a mission to sustain embodied practices for the greater good of humanity, Intercultural Roots fosters innovative partnerships between artists and researchers, pioneering workstreams centred on practice as research and vice versa, which are crucial for evolving pedagogy and responsive projects​.

The charity advocates for a holistic view of health, aligning with ecological public health and emphasising the need for a societal foundation that supports good health across biological, material, social, and cultural dimensions. It stands at the forefront of addressing contemporary concerns such as environmental and climate change, the mental health pandemic, and the increasing social trauma around climate crisis and war in Europe and the Middle East. Intercultural Roots responds to these with a diverse array of creative health projects aimed at tackling issues like eco-anxiety and fostering active participation in societal change​.

For practitioners, Intercultural Roots has established 3 community networks with over 400 practitioners accessing their asynchronous online platform, designed to foster collaboration across various art forms. These networks have evolved from initial creative labs that continue to offer critical care and support, providing a 'home' for practitioners to develop their practice in a healthy environment.

Project participants also reap the benefits of the charity's agile and inclusive structure, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when Intercultural Roots quickly transitioned to online classes, aiding practitioners financially and providing the public with interactive arts experiences. The Health & WELLth project expanded the charity's reach globally and inclusively, addressing the needs of vulnerable groups who may not access in-person classes​.  It asks 'What matters to you?' subverting the more common medicalised question of 'What's the matter with you?', thereby offering greater responsibility for health and wellbeing to individuals.

Intercultural Roots is pioneering in applying the arts to combat eco-anxiety, with their 'Human-Nature Connect' (H-NC) activities, including residential gatherings that link participants to environmental issues and creative solutions for sustainable living. Among its key projects, Intercultural Roots is developing the EcoGPX™ app, which combines art, nature, heritage, and community engagement to promote environmental awareness.

The charity also tackles health inequalities by developing projects with communities to address social injustices, inequities, and specific disadvantages. Examples include support for domestic violence victims and theatre projects in South London addressing gang culture and domestic violence, which serve as case studies for effective local creative wellbeing interventions​.

In education and training, Intercultural Roots supports arts practitioners to enhance their skills and use their arts to address pertinent societal issues. Through various collaborative forums, the charity facilitates the merging of diverse practices to address specific needs. This approach has not only fostered creativity but also enhanced cultural sensitivity in community settings​.

Finally, their Practitioner Partnerships programme provides a platform for practitioners to propose, promote and deliver their work, with IR's infrastructure supporting back-office functions and integrated digital platforms. This model is continuously reviewed for quality and improvement, emphasising integrity, equality, and respect. Intercultural Roots thus supports its freelance partners in developing professional skills, from freelancing to social entrepreneurship, encompassing mentorship, proposal development, and the administration and promotion of paid artistic work​.

This summary paints a picture of Intercultural Roots as a dynamic, responsive, and innovative charity. Its approach weaves together arts and health to address some of the most pressing issues of our time, fostering an environment where creative health interventions can thrive and bring about significant social change.