Breathing Space: Dance-in-Health
is a public programme of dance workshops, performances and residencies
for those whose lives are affected by illness. We explore movement
and dance as a creative and enriching way to nurture and support
public health and wellbeing.
Our approach
Our workshops offer a 'breathing space' for those living with illness,
carers and health practitioners. In supportive and playful environments,
we use relaxation, creative movement explorations, and artwork and
drawing to assist participants in nurturing their own wellbeing,
and in living with illness. Our work aims to renew the natural ease
and rejuvenation that our body's inner resources can offer.
'I'm firmly believe this has helped me in dealing with my illness'
- Breathing Space participant
Breathing Space Children’s Programme
A three-year grant from the True Colours Trust in 2006 enabled the
development of a dedicated children’s programme, the Breathing
Space Children’s Programme, which has received outstanding
responses and high-level endorsements. In March 2007, the programme
was selected by Arts Council England as its national case study
for the innovative use of arts in health settings to achieve outcomes
for children and young people and, in 2008, Breathing Space was
featured in Animated magazine focusing attention on leading
initiatives in dance and health. Breathing
Space artists were also commissioned as experts in children’s
dance and wellbeing by Trust Arts Projects at South London and Maudsley
NHS Trust to contribute to the piloting of a national DfCSF/ National
Children’s Bureau initiative.
Delivered
by leading professional dance artists, the Breathing Space Children’s
Programme uses dance and creative expression to nurture children’s
physical, psychological and emotion health and wellbeing. The programme
focuses on how our expertises in movement and dance can support,
augment and compliment existing care programmes and education services
for children with illness, disability and complex needs.
Training for professionals
In
addition, we deliver specialist dance-in-health training and mentoring
for health practitioners, care staff and play workers, to develop
and diversify their skills in order to enhance in their work with
children.
Breathing Space Performances
Breathing Space presents performances widely in health settings,
most recently presenting Triptych by Crossover Intergenerational
Dance Company at St Thomas’ Hospital, and quarterly dance
performances at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.
Working with us
Breathing Space works in partnership with a range of health and
care organisations to augement and support existing services. We
are always happy to hear from individuals and organisations to discuss
new potential collaborations.
For further information about Breathing Space or to enquire about
joining a workshop please contact Joe Moran, Project Director by
email or call 020 7377 8454
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Breathing Space
2007-08 Events
Children's
Programme
The celebrated Breathing Space Children's Programme consists of
specially designed creative movement workshops by our experienced
artists for children living with life-limiting and life-threatening
illness at hospices and hospital schools.
Artists: Cecilia MacFarlane, Usha Mahenthiralingam, Joe Moran
and Kirstie Richardson. Supported by Lucy Astor, True Colours Trust
and other private patrons.
Projects
upcoming
in
2008:
HIV/
Aids Support Group
A creative movement workshop series for those with living HIV &
Aids in London.
Artist: Joe Moran
Theatre Access
Workshop
The Breathing Space team lead access movement workshops
for children with visual impairment.
Artists: Andrew Coombs, Joe Moran, Kirstie
Richardson, Victoria Thompson
Loss of Sight
support group
A creative support group for those with visual impairment offered
in Central London.
Artist: Kirstie Richardson
Dance
Events at Chelsea &
Westminster Hospital
Falling Wide curates quaterly contemporary dance performances at
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital; performing in atrium spaces
and on wards
Curator: Joe Moran |
