Arts & Health as a Social Movement

A big thanks to Kat Taylor who has held the fort whilst I’ve been away from work. As well as looking after my friends and colleagues from Finland and a North West Arts and Health Networking event with Carola Boehm, she supported the Arts, Health and Social Movements workshop on May 12th

‘LIVE WELL:MAKE ART’ which saw arts practitioners, clinicians and researchers come together to share knowledge and resources across the arts and wellbeing sector. 

The Devolution of Health and Social Care budgets from central Government means some real improvements are anticipated and we came together to consider and inspire action. Change designed and led by communities is more likely to be self-sustaining and far-reaching than that led by public bodies. Using ‘Health as a social movement’ as a provocation, the participants were invited to share information about arts and health work happening across Greater Manchester. Artists from ‘More than Minutes’ created a visual snap-shot during the course of the event. Group discussions focussed on Values & Principles; Cultural Spaces; Collective Intelligence and New Ways of Exploring Difficult Subjects. The workshop identified approaches and models, and potential barriers, before a number of organisations and individuals committed to several action points to effect change. The group will continue to meet regularly to share progress and take actions forward, to create healthier, culturally engaged and socially connected communities across the city. #LiveWellMakeArt

Whilst all this is unfolding, I am reminded that as informal as it might be, we have quite a strong North West Arts and Health Network and we created a shared vision statement in our MANIFESTO for Arts, Health and Wellbeing.

Medical students explore communication with musicians on children’s wards

Ten more third year medical students studied approaches to holistic healthcare with Music for Health and Lime Arts in January 2016. For many this was their first experience of visiting a paediatric hospital, and in seeing first hand the impact of hospitalisation on children and their families. All the students had an interest in either music, or the arts in general – or both – and used their own interests to explore the benefits of music and the arts to young patients who find their lives disrupted by medical treatment.Want to know more? Click HERE.

Declaration 

Art with Heart developed with The Lowry

Thu 23 & Fri 24 June, 8pm

The Studio at The Lowry

£10/ £12

Instinctive, curious, bold and bouncy; Sarah is a mighty proud square peg, which wouldn’t be such a problem if the hole wasn’t so damn round.

Sarah grew up feeling different. Her childhood Doctor thought it was sugar. Her current doctor thinks its ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). Sarah still feels different, so what will a label do? Will it change the way you see her and the way she sees herself? With autobiographical comedy, storytelling and conversations with audiences, join award-winning theatre company Art with Heart on a vibrant and daring adventure with new production - Declaration. Read more by clicking on the image above.

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