Clive Parkinson, Reader in Arts, Health and Social Justice at Manchester Metropolitan University, has died at the age of 63. He was a significant figure in the field of arts and health, contributing across the NHS, higher education, and the voluntary sector.
Born in Morecambe, Lancashire, Mr Parkinson left school at 16 in 1979. He later attended Lancaster & Morecambe College and established an art studio for residents at the Royal Albert hospital. During this time, he completed a part-time degree at Lancaster University, focusing his research on the link between creativity, culture, arts, and health.
Following the Royal Albert's closure in 1996, Mr Parkinson led mental health promotion for Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust. He later became director of Arts for Health Cornwall & Isles of Scilly before starting a 20-year tenure at Manchester Metropolitan University. There, he convened the Manchester Institute for Arts, Health & Social Change and wrote publications such as the Manifesto for Arts & Health.
His work extended to an all-party parliamentary group on arts, health and wellbeing, and he was involved in developments across the UK, Europe, Australia, and Japan. In 2022, he received an honorary chair in creative health and social change at the University of Manchester.