Cancer and Creativity – Support that focuses on the arts and self expression

18 August 2026 — lia-rogers

It might not be the first thing you think of when you think of cancer support, but getting creative can be a great way to find respite when things are difficult. To express yourself. To ease anxiety. To get out of your head and into the flow: to do something just for you. On Cancer Care Map you’ll find lots of organisations helping people to access their creativity during and after cancer treatment.

London Arts and Health has an online resource called Creative Health Connections, signposting you to local arts and cultural activities to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Activities include visual arts, performance arts, film, literature, music, crafts, gardening, heritage and digital arts. Such activities may take place in indoor and outdoor venues such as galleries, libraries, faith spaces, parks, healthcare or social care settings, local community spaces, and at home. 

If you live near Knaresborough, local charity Orb Community Arts offers creative group activities and one to one wellbeing support to improve your mental health. Most services are free. Groups include singing, dance and movement, art and craft, creative writing and more. It also provides practical employment support and skills training to help people get where they want to be.

Move Dance Feel offers creative dance sessions for women affected by cancer, including those living with or beyond cancer, supporting someone through it, or grieving a loved one. Sessions are gentle and focus on wellbeing, connection and self-expression, with no dance experience needed. Online sessions take place on Monday evenings and Friday mornings, alongside in-person weekenders and retreats. Sessions are led by professional dance artists. Free to attend, though donations are welcomed. 

Medley offers art and wellbeing activities for people who may be living with chronic or acute health conditions, such as cancer. Sessions are held monthly via Zoom, with regular art for wellbeing challenges for people to enjoy from home in their own time. Free to anyone requesting these sessions or referred by social prescribing.

If photography is your thing, Well Image has photography groups for adults who would like to improve their wellbeing through photography. The courses, which have been designed for people living with long term conditions such as Long Covid, M.E. or Fibromyalgia, are held online and run throughout the year. All levels are welcome. A donation of £10 is suggested per session.

Creative writing has been proven to have health benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. Most of the Maggie’s Centres around the UK offer creative writing workshops, helping people affected by cancer to be able to express themselves more freely. They also offer art therapy groups. Check their website to find timetabling for your area, or drop in to one of their local centres. 

If you’re based in London, The Royal Academy of Dance has free ballet classes for anyone living with and beyond cancer. Led by an experienced dance artist trained in the CanRehab exercise and rehabilitation programme, classes are held on Mondays, 10.30am to 11.30am, and Fridays, 3.30pm to 4.30pm. They are suitable for beginners to ballet and those with experience. Consult your cancer team or GP before making any lifestyle changes. Some exercise programmes may not be suitable alongside certain cancer treatments.

There is so much more to discover, so head to the Cancer Care Map homepage and type in your postcode and/or keywords to find the support that speaks to your creative spirit.