NHS creative talents on show at the Hudawi Centre
Local people have attended a unique evening performance at the Hudawi Centre, Huddersfield, designed to showcase the creative talents of people who use NHS mental health and learning disability services.
The performance was part of this summer’s members’ events held by the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and included musical and dance performances by people who use Trust services and staff. There was also an exhibition of artwork, poetry and woodwork.
The event was also an opportunity for local people to find out more about the ways in which they can help shape the services provided by the Trust and the potential difference they could make. The event was a chance for people to chat with the Trust’s chief executive Steven Michael as well as representatives of the Members’ Council.
The Trust is the local NHS provider of mental health and learning disability services in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield and the event was an opportunity to show how creativity plays a part in modern specialist NHS services.
Prior to the evening performances, workshops were 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 also took place where Trust members got involved with singing, creating music or working with words and imagery.
The evening showcase was designed to introduce local people to the creative talents of people who use mental health and learning disability services. 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 were 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 future events contact the inclusion team on 01924 328656 or email inclusion@swyt.nhs.uk. Further information is also available at www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk