Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May 2026), registered charity and social enterprise BH Live is celebrating the positive impact attending a live performance can have on mental health and wellbeing.

As awareness continues to grow around the importance of looking after mental health, BH Live, the charity that operates Bournemouth Pavilion and Bournemouth International Centre (two of the region’s most popular event venues), is shining a light on the value of cultural event experiences as a simple yet effective way for people to relax, reconnect and improve their emotional wellbeing.

From live music and theatre to comedy, dance and performance, live performance offers escapism, shared enjoyment and experiences that can contribute positively to everyday mental health.

The benefits of cultural engagement are supported by extensive research. A report prepared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2019 found that activities such as making and listening to music, dancing, engaging with art and visiting cultural venues are associated with stress management and prevention. The report concluded that these activities are linked to lower levels of biological stress in daily life and reduced daily anxiety*.

The same report also highlights the wider, longer‑term benefits of taking part in arts and cultural activities, noting that regular engagement can help reduce the risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression during adolescence and later in life. These findings reinforce the importance of access to cultural experiences as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

BH Live, which operates a range of venues and cultural spaces in Bournemouth and Croydon, is driven to make arts and entertainment more accessible to the local community and visitors alike. By offering a diverse programme of shows and events, the charity aims to create welcoming spaces where people can come together, switch off from daily pressures and enjoy shared moments of creativity and connection.

Bournemouth Pavilion and Bournemouth International Centre is operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.

On behalf of BH Live, Nicola Coney, Entertainments and Events Manager, shared;

“Mental Health Awareness Week provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on simple actions support our wellbeing. Attending a show, enjoying live music or sharing a performance with friends or family can help combat isolation, lift mood and encourage people to be present in the moment. These are benefits that are often overlooked but are increasingly important in today’s fast‑paced world.

“We hope to encourage more people to view cultural experiences and live performance as a valuable tool to benefit mental health. By stepping into a theatre, concert hall or performance space, audiences can take time for themselves, feel inspired and connected, and enjoy experiences that contribute positively to their overall wellbeing.”

For more information about Bournemouth Pavilion and Bournemouth International Centre, including what’s on, visit bournemouthpavilion.co.uk and bic.co.uk

*What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review, World Health Organisation, Health Evidence Network synthesis report; 67, published 5 November 2019, accessed on 27 April 2026