The Cancer Hive is a magazine for anyone affected by cancer. It explores stories, thoughts, wisdom and advice from people who have been there, but uses artistic and creative methods to be more inclusive, visual and engaging.
It is co-directed and co-edited by Fruit Fly Collective and the cancer community to help change the conversations around cancer, making it less of a taboo, whilst providing support to those who are living with it.
Armchair Gallery has been designed to give people with dementia the opportunity to experience cultural collections from the comfort of their own home; it is available on both iOS and Android from the usual stores.
The app showcases artworks and artefacts from the collections of seven venues: Chatsworth House, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Lowry, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Pitt Rivers Museum, Mr Straw’s House and Newstead Abbey.
The New Zealand Arts Council has proposed establishing a national arts on prescription scheme for people with poor mental health.
In a submission to the national Government’s review on mental health, Creative New Zealand proposed establishing a formal arts on prescription scheme nationally. The country established a “green” prescription scheme in 2004.
Green Candle Dance has launched a Level 3 OCNLR course for Dancers, Dance Teachers, Carers, Care Home workers, Occupational Therapists, or anyone working with older people or in community dance.
This in depth course aims to deliver an understanding of how to lead safe, effective and enjoyable dance and movement work with older people.
Akademi releases twenty-five free educational videos to aid dance practitioners planning South Asian inspired dance workshops for older adults.
The videos show professional dance artists providing examples of exercises that can be used when teaching dance movement to older adults. These resources, filmed by James Williams, stem from the Dance Well Resource book that was published in 2017 and distributed to over 100 dance artists, health professionals and activities coordinators.
The Health Foundation has announced a £1.7m fund to support up to 23 clinical teams to test and develop innovative ideas and approaches to improve health and social care delivery in the UK. It is particularly interested in applications focusing on the physical and mental wellbeing of staff, improving team working and relationships, or using technology and automation to address workforce challenges.
Inclusive music charity Drake Music has published a set of guidance and resources for organisations on improving disability access to the arts workforce and activities. Although focused on music education, the pack is useful to any organisation looking to improve its open-ness to new participants and practitioners.
The Alzheimer’s Society has published a guide for rural communities to support them in becoming more dementia friendly. It includes extensive resources focused on using museums, arts and culture to support people with dementia.
The guide is designed to help groups with ideas for activities, potential contacts and support networks. Its aim is “[through] developing an understanding of dementia, rural communities can make a huge difference to people living with dementia.”
We are happy to share that, alongside our partners the Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance (CHWA), we have re-imagined Creativity & Wellbeing Week 2020.
