About us
Our vision is simple: communities across the UK should have access to health promotion that's engaging, accessible, and rooted in arts, culture and heritage.
Health promotion doesn't have to look like leaflets and lecture halls
Our storyCayr was founded in 2024 around a simple idea. Health promotion can look like photography workshops that get young people exploring their neighbourhood. Textile workshops that help women process a breast cancer diagnosis. Oral history projects that bring isolated older people back into community life.
The outcomes are the same (better health, stronger communities, reduced inequalities), but the route there is completely different.
We understand both the arts sector and the public health sector. We speak both languages, and we know how to make them work together.
That's what makes our programmes evidence-based while still being engaging, accessible and led by what communities actually want.
Since 2024
15
events500+
participants3,000+
audience membersFive things we always do
how we workWe use Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approaches: understanding what's already there, and making sure communities have real ownership of what happens.
01
We start with health, not art
Every programme begins from a health need, then we find the creative approach that fits.
02
We listen before we build
We work with communities to shape a plan that is realistic, strategic and led by what they want.
03
We measure what matters
We're committed to evidencing impact. If we can't show it works, we can't make the case for it to happen more widely.
05
We’re honest about complexity
Health inequalities are systemic. Arts can't fix everything, but they can be powerful tools when used strategically.
04
We share what we learn
Through mentoring, research and openness about our work, we aim to help build a stronger sector.
More about Cayr
See what we are working on now
Pink Stitch 2026, Naturehood and Words of Cayr are running now