South West

Picture of Lady Nade Trio at the Fresh Arts Festival, Southmead Hospital Bristol
Lady Nade Trio at the Fresh Arts Festival, Southmead Hospital Bristol Producer: Willis Newson Photographer: Clint Randall

Each region is represented by two champions: one from the museums sector and one from the arts sector, each working with health and wellbeing. The regional champions are working with the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance in a voluntary capacity. Become a member and join the conversation.

To find out more about activity in the South West please visit Arts & Health South West or contact South West Regional Champions via email on: [email protected].

B&W photograph of a white woman with long mousey blonde hair smiling sitting in a chair

Alexis Butt
General Manager
National Centre for Creative Health

As an arts graduate with over 20 years’ experience working across the arts and cultural sector in the UK and in Asia, Alexis enjoys using her wide range of skills and background to help others feel supported in their creative and professional practice. She works part-time as General Manager at the National Centre for Creative Health, and previously worked part-time for Arts and Health South West. Alexis is also a creative practitioner and can often be found in her studio painting or creating silver jewellery. Additionally, she is a qualified Paddleboard Instructor, and so alongside advocacy for creative health, Alexis believes that blue health (being in, on or close to water) can be a powerful support for mental health and wellbeing. 

A white woman with long brown hair and a spotted top smiling at the camera

Gemma Alldred
Creative Health Lead - Arts Development Company
Co-Director - CoCreate Dorset CIC

Gemma is a lived experience theatre maker and community artist, specialising in Creative Health practices that support mental health and wellbeing. 

Working in community arts since 2007, she has co-founded two arts and health organisations, been artistic director to Out of Character Theatre Company (comprising of people who use mental health services), led artistic engagement programmes for charities to theatres, transformed a garage into a black box studio, led socially engaged festivals, programmed for an arts centre, taught in higher and further education, and regularly uses her wide range of skills as a freelance creative producer.

Gemma is based in Bournemouth, and is currently leading on developing Creative Health in Dorset through her work as an associate with Arts Development Company. She has a special interest in developing work as a CHWA champion around inclusion and diversity, and practitioner development in the South West.