LAHF January 2010 Newsletter

Welcome to 2010 and LAHF's January newsletter full to the brim with national and local arts in health news, as well as previews of our events, opportunities and developments in arts and wellbeing. The LAHF monthly newsletter is free of charge and available to all, to sign up visit http://www.lahf.org.uk/ and please feel free to forward to any colleagues or friends you think might find it interesting.

If you have trouble viewing this newsletter please go to http://www.lahf.org.uk/lahf-newsletter/lahf-january-2010-newsletter to view it online.

LAHF Move                                        

LAHF News

LAHF has moved from our desk in London Bridge to our very own little office in Islington, just off Essex Road. Our new address is 1^st Floor, 5 St Peters Street, London N1 8JD. Email addresses remain the same as does our 0845 602 0825 telephone number - a new London number will be available soon.

LAHF in 2010                     

LAHF Events

LAHF is planning a series of events in 2010 aimed to help arts in health practitioners to better promote themselves and to raise awareness of the sector. These events will include workshops on relating to the press and toolkits offering advice and support on advocating for support. Full details of these events will be published in January.

LAHF is also planning an event on 15^th March 2010 from 12-6pm to explore the role of the arts in dementia care. The event will include presentations and workshops from practitioners working in the field including John Zeisel from the USA who will launch his new book "I'm Still Here". We have already had considerable interest in this event so if you would like to attend or receive further information please get in touch as soon as possible, e: info@lahf.org.uk

LAHF Survey                                  

LAHF News

You will recently have received a survey from LAHF, this is something we began in 2008 as a way of making sure the content of our newsletters and events are tailored to what you want. From suggestions made by respondents to the last survey we are in the process of redesigning the LAHF website.

We would be very appreciative if you could take the time to complete this year's survey to help us continue to improve the services we deliver through 2010. If you do not appear to have received an invitation to contribute to the survey, please drop us a line, e: info@lahf.org.uk

Environment and Teenage Cancer Patients         

News

A report recently commissioned by the Teenage Cancer Trust, and carried out by the Futures Company, has concluded that design plays a major role in recovery, as well as supporting family members and staff. The report goes on to recommend that architects take a five-pronged approach to the design of cancer facilities for teenagers, w: http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/

New Horizons                  

National News

In December The Government issued a new policy document entitled New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental Health. Described as a "cross governmental programme of action to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the population and the quality and accessibility of services for people with poor mental health, with a view to reducing risk factors and enabling SHAs to deliver their regional visions for mental health." While there is limited direct reference to the role of the arts in mental health, the document is indicative of a development in approach to mental wellbeing focused on a more preventative model and could have far reaching consequences for the sector. To read the full document, w: http://newhorizons.dh.gov.uk/assets/Reports/299060_New_Horizons_acc.pdf

Mayor of London Strategy                        

News

The draft for public consultation on the Mayor of London's health inequality strategy was launched in September 2009, with a fast approaching deadline of 10^th January. Objectives set out in the strategy include improving access to services, reduce inequalities and empower individual Londoners, w: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/priorities/health/health-strategy.jsp

Arts Project Worker                                     

Opportunity

Open Arts, a community based project providing participatory art groups and personal development opportunities for people with mental health problems, is looking to recruit a new Arts Project Worker. The role will involve assisting in seeking funding, helping individual service users and working with local artists and volunteers to set up groups and exhibitions. The post will be based in Essex paying £20,000 to £26,000 pro rata 22.5 hours for a fixed 12 month term. The closing date for applications is 22^nd January, w: http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=912398767

Dance Enhances Self Esteem             

News

London based dance conservatoire, Laban, and the North Kent Local Authorities Partnership have announced the findings of their recent participatory research project dance 4 your life, examining the physical and psychological impact of dance on 14 year old girls, to include a significant improvement in levels of self esteem. Other results from the study, which took place in five schools in North Kent, included an increase in physical health and motivational levels, w: www.nklaap.com/dance-4-your-life.html  

Frognal Trust Grants         

Opportunities

The Frognal Trust provides grants to third sector organisations in the UK to support work in a number of areas including culture, heritage, community services, hospices and nursing homes and opthalmalogical research. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, t: 01732 520 083

Arts and Health West Midlands            

News

praXis, the West Midlands arts and health network, have announced both their 300^th member and also the receipt of a major Grants for Arts award from Arts Council England to support their work for the next two years. Thanks to this funding praXis is now being managed by community interest company Creative Health who hope, among other things, to develop the praXis website and e-bulletin and identify and support regional champions, w: http://www.praxisartsandhealth.org.uk/

People's Postcode Trust Grants     

Opportunities

The People's Postcode Trust distribute grants from £500 to £10,000 to community groups, small organisations and charities working in areas including improving health, community development and participation in sport. The next deadline for applications is 18^th January, w: http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/

Personality Disorder Artists                       

Events

Emergence... Discovering the Creative Self is an exhibition of multi disciplinary artwork by London artists who identify with the symptoms and issues surrounding personality disorder. Opening on 25^th January, the exhibition will be on until 8^th March at the Together Gallery, 12 Old Street, London, EC1, w: http://www.personalityplus.org.uk/

If you have any items you would like to be considered for the February issue of the LAHF newsletter please email them to info@lahf.org.uk by 25^th January. Remember, you will get an email from us later this month in addition to the next newsletter with details of our survey, I hope you will be able to find time to complete it - if you would like to offer more informal feedback, we always welcome input, please email info@lahf.org.uk