During the past twelve months, the Arts for Health and Wellbeing team, health and Wellbeing team who provide and support creative collaborations at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board are pleased have been able to continue to co-produce positive creative partnerships and collaborations to enhance the experiences for patients, staff and communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
These projects have been made possible by maintaining and forging new relationships with artists and art organisations.
The Arts team were honoured to win an award at a virtual Arts ceremony run by Arts & Business Cymru for a successful collaborative project with Rubicon Dance.
In response to the pandemic, the Arts Team have worked with a number of artists and organisations to adapt the delivery of arts in health projects, support vulnerable and isolated patients, provide wellbeing services for staff and initiate virtual sessions for people living with health conditions in the community.
Simone Joslyn, Head of Arts said:
“As always, we are deeply grateful to our staff members who enabled delivery of these projects, and to the wonderful artists and organisations we work with. We are especially grateful to the Arts Council of Wales and the NHS Wales Confederation for ensuring arts in health remains high in their agenda and relevant during these difficult times.”
Take a look at some of our recent diverse and innovative recent collaborations:
CF Voices: A collaboration between Four in Four, The All Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, and the Arts Team, Cardiff & Vale Health Charity.
Rengarific: A collaboration between Y Lab, Nesta, Cardiff University, the Arts Council of Wales, VC Gallery, Swansea Bay UHB and the Arts Team at Cardiff & Vale Health Charity.
Staff Haven, Lakeside Wing. UHW :A collaboration with National Museum Wales
The staff haven is designed as a place of relaxation, rest and reflection for staff members to access an environment which protects their emotional and mental health wellbeing. Working in partnership with the National Museum Wales, the team were given access to works of art from the National collection, some of which are rarely exhibited, and which help to promote a feeling of relaxation, space and inspiration. This project was made possible by the kind donation of funding from Gareth and Emma Bale.
Providing pre-recorded videos to enhance movement : A collaboration with Rubicon Dance
The team were delighted to work with Rubicon Dance and Physiotherapists in MHSOP, together with the Neuro-Rehabilitation service to create pre-recorded videos in replacement of regular Rubicon Movement and Dance sessions. The team were delighted to work with Rubicon Dance, Mental Health Matters and staff at St. David’s Hospital to deliver online Movement and Music sessions, much to the enjoyment of patients and staff.
Enhancing the area : A collaboration with Women’s Art Association
Our current exhibition, There’s more to Barry, features work created through a collaborative project between artist Haf Weighton and pupils and staff at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg. Find out more about this project by watching this video.
Providing music and joy at St Davids Hospital: Collaborations with Forget Me Not Chorus, Welsh National Opera and Harmoni Cymru; with the amazing support of Mental Health Matters
“Working in partnership with Harmoni Cymru has supported us as MHM Wales Wellbeing Activities team to provide hope, happiness and connectivity for our patients. The weekly performances have ignited hearts, minds, interaction, participation and created a therapeutic person-centred approach to supporting staff and patients on the road to both physical and mental health wellbeing. We strive to support living well with dementia and during the pandemic we have learned to live well around Covid-19. Harmoni Cymru have played a fundamental role in helping to make living well with both become a reality!”
– Claire Davies, Mental Health Matters
Collaborating with Arts & Business Cymru to share knowledge and skills with an intern
The Arts Team has a number of exciting partnership projects on the horizon, keep up-to-date on the latest news and events through Facebook, Twitter and the website. Their Annual Report is available here.
To find out more about Cardiff & Vale Arts for Health and Wellbeing please visit: www.cardiffandvale.art