Special performances to showcase NHS creative talents
Local people are invited to two unique evening performances in Huddersfield and Wakefield, designed to showcase the creative talents of people who use NHS mental health and learning disability services.
On Monday 21st June a performance will be held between 6 and 8.30pm at the Hudawi Centre, Great Northern Street in Huddersfield and another between 6 and 8.30pm on Monday 28th June at Fieldhead, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield.
The performances are part of this summer’s members’ events held by the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and will include musical and dance performances by people who use Trust services and staff. There will also be a creativity exhibition.
The Trust is the local NHS provider of mental health and learning disability services in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield and the events are an opportunity to show how creativity plays a part in modern specialist NHS services.
The events are free and are open to the public, who are then encouraged to join the Trust as a member. There are currently 14,000 local members of the Trust, who are interested in the services the Trust provides.
Prior to the evening performances, workshops are being held on New Horizons, which is a 10 year government plan setting out a programme of action to improve everyone’s mental wellbeing and mental health services. Creative workshops are also taking place where Trust members will be singing, creating music or working with words and imagery.
More…. The evening showcase is designed to introduce local people to the creative talents of people who use mental health and learning disability services. All service areas – adult, older people’s, learning disability and forensics – will be represented and will feature diverse, interesting and entertaining performances. The evening will include music, poetry, dance and other performing arts.
Creative approaches can achieve high quality outcomes for people who use Trust services. There are many inspiring examples of innovative creative work going on in the Trust – from art and photography to football and gardening. By using creative approaches, the importance of engagement and involvement is highlighted and barriers between staff and services users can be broken down, levelling relationships.
Phil Walters, Trust head of inclusion, said: "The performances are a great opportunity for people to see how their local NHS is using creativity for the benefit of people who need to use our services. Creative activity underpins the search for different ways of doing things and different ways of thinking. The arts and sport can bring people together and build a sense of community and as a result creativity is embedded in the care and treatment of many Trust services, producing fantastic results for individuals. "
If you would like to know more about the events then just contact the inclusion team on 01924 328656 or email inclusion@swyt.nhs.uk. Further information is also available at www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk