From Consensus to Action
Practical resources for building healthier, more sustainable workplaces across the Creative Industries.
Introduction
Working in the Creative Industries brings real opportunities but also distinctive pressures. With 28% of the sector self-employed (compared with 14% nationally), and high levels of freelance, fixed-term and project-based work, many creative workers move between organisations without consistent access to occupational health, HR support or workplace wellbeing infrastructure. The evidence is stark: 35% of film and TV workers rate their mental health as poor or very poor, and nearly a third of musicians report negative or extremely negative wellbeing.
The Workplace Health in Creative Industries Consensus Statement, developed by a multi-agency partnership under the Council for Health and Work, is a shared commitment to change this. This page brings together the consensus statement, and we will add practical resources that support organisations, freelancers and individuals in turning that consensus into action, starting with making a signatory commitment, to choosing a practical first action, to sharing and learning from good practice happening across the sector.
Whatever your role or organisation size, there’s a starting point here for building healthier, more sustainable creative careers.
About this work:
This resource hub is developed by the Workplace Health in Creative Industries Task and Finish Group, a joint project between the Council for Work and Health and the Department for Health and Social Care.
The group brings together expertise from across the Creative Industries and the health sector to better understand the workplace health issues facing creative workers, and to feed that learning into national policy discussions.
What you’ll find on this page
The Case for Change
A short summary of why workplace health matters for the Creative Industries; the evidence so far, the economics, and the opportunity for action.
The Consensus Statement
The full statement and call to action, setting out the shared ambition for healthy, sustainable creative careers.
Signatory Commitment
A simple form for organisations and individuals to publicly commit to the Consensus and name their first practical action.
Action Menu
A menu of practical, proportionate options to help you choose an achievable first step, because meaningful change can start small.
Good Practice Case Study Template
A template to share with us what’s working in your organisation, so others across the sector can learn from it.
Supporting Evidence Annex
The fuller evidence base behind the Consensus — covering mental and physical health, financial security, and the wider policy context.