Staff throughout NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are to play a starring role in a week-long celebration of the arts and their importance in the nation’s physical, mental and social health.
Healing Arts Scotland 2024 runs from Monday 19th August, with a host of events and discussions about the role of the arts in healthcare – and a team of dancers from NHSGGC will feature in a specially filmed video to be shown at the launch ceremony in Edinburgh.
In addition, Healing Arts Scotland will be coming to Glasgow on Wednesday 21st August, for a day dedicated to events in the city.
The launch video was filmed at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in April, when staff were joined by Scottish Ballet, and Community and Health Dancers from Scottish Ballet’s neurological and youth programmes as they performed a specially commissioned routine to celebrate the power of the arts to connect communities and bring arts and health together.
The video is the culmination of a programme in which Scottish Ballet has worked with the NHSGGC Arts in Health Improvement programme, with support from the Active Staff team, to provide online movement and dance sessions for staff within the health board and partner Health and Social Care Partnerships.
Jackie Sands, Senior Arts and Health Improvement Leadat NHSGGC, who developed the partnership with Scottish Ballet, has taken part in the Scottish Ballet dance and movement sessions and was one of those to dance at the QEUH in April.
She said: “Being part of this video has been a wonderful experience, and the finished video will be an uplifting and positive way to help kick off Healing Arts Scotland.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the movement and dance sessions, and the video, and I would encourage everyone to have a look at the Healing Arts Scotland website, and to book a place at some of the events – in Glasgow or elsewhere. Everything is free, so we’re hoping lots of people will come along and support this great festival.”
Louise Seawright, a Special Occupational Therapist in Glasgow and one of those to feature in the video, said she was delighted with the film, adding: “Although it was nerve-wracking, I loved being a part of this filming. The finished result is so positive – I truly hope it will inspire others to get involved to support their wellbeing.”
The Healing Arts Scotland Glasgow Day, which will be hosted by Tramway, Scottish Ballet and the Hidden Garden, will feature events bringing together communities, researchers and academics in the city.
The day will feature workshops and sessions run by Scottish arts and health practitioners, and panel discussions with leading Scottish experts and renowned arts and health specialists from around the world.
From Taiko drumming to choral workshops and country dancing to mindfulness, there will be something for everyone, and every event will be free of charge. There will also be another chance to see the NHSGGC dancers perform.
In addition, Healing Arts Scotland features a programme of online conferences and discussions, and members of the public, as well as healthcare and arts professionals, are encouraged to sign up.
Dr Emilia Crighton, Director of Public Health at NHSGGC, will be attending the Glasgow day. She said: “Through our Arts in Health and Active Staff programmes, NHSGGC is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of its staff, and this collaboration with Scottish Ballet has been a particular success.
“All forms of physical activity, and participation in the arts in general, have been shown to be beneficial to our physical and mental health, and events such as Healing Arts Scotland show that anyone, of any ability, can get involved.
“We are happy to support this event, and we hope people will sign up and support their local NHS staff and others from communities around Glasgow.”
To watch the NHSGGC dancers’ video, click here.
To see more about the Glasgow Day and book an event, go to: Healing Arts Scotland Glasgow Day
For more on the wider Healing Arts Scotland, go to: healingartsscotland.org
:: Healing Arts Scotland 2024 is a national weeklong celebration of arts and health, delivered by Scottish Ballet in partnership with the Jameel Arts and Health Lab, World Health Organisation, Edinburgh International Festival, NHS Lothian Charity, NHS Glasgow and Clyde, Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland, National Galleries Scotland and multiple Scottish collaborators.
