Disability, health and the arts: an integrative approach with the HERA Partnership
3rd November 2020 by Ellie Thompson
At Diversity and Ability we believe in creating a diverse and inclusive future, where people of all ages, genders, races, (dis)abilities, health statuses, and socioeconomics have complete and equal access to the world. This is especially important when it comes to arts and culture. Arts and culture opportunities support our mental and physical health, enhance our wellbeing, expand our horizons and allow us to interpret and experience the world in new and exciting ways.
That is why we are so proud to be part of the HERA Partnership, a Brighton and Hove-based arts and health project that provides creative activities and workshops to people living with long-term health conditions in our local area. Alongside leading arts and health organisations The Old Market, Creative Future and The Robin Hood Health Foundation.
So far, the project has been an overwhelming success, with over 2,500 individual attendees to HERA’s artist-led groups across diverse sectors including creative coding, visual arts and singing. One participant from a recent Visual Arts workshop shared how the experience had “made a tremendous difference to [their] quality of life”:
“As a non-verbal format this has been most helpful with processing anxiety and depression without the risk of further triggering. I am so thankful to have been able to access this group.”
Abstract artwork by Suzie Poyntz, created during a HERA Workshop
How can I get involved?
The HERA Programme of workshops, activities and events is completely free, and open to anyone who is registered with a GP in Brighton and Hove.
To check out their programmes and find out what you could access, have a look at their events schedule: https://www.brightonhealthandwellbeingcentre.co.uk/healing-arts/hera_programme
Find out how you can access the services: https://www.brightonhealthandwellbeingcentre.co.uk/healing-arts/access
What’s more, coming up on Wednesday 4th November is an incredible event from HERA partner Creative Future: their first ever digital Writers’ Award Winners’ Showcase! This event will be a celebratory evening featuring readings from Creative Future’s winners of their national writing competition, the only national competition for all underrepresented writers. The evening promises to be an enlightening demonstration of what a diverse and inclusive world of arts and culture would look like. We’ll definitely be joining- we hope to see you there!
Book tickets to the showcase via https://bit.ly/CFWAshowcase2020
