What's Happening

This is one of the first fully accredited arts and health professional development programmes in the UK and is being run by Staffordshire University between February and April 2009. All the students on the course study a Masters level module called 'Developing Arts For Health' as well as completing a piece of real life Arts and health-based work. These are being supported by a range of health, arts and community sector organisations, and representatives from five of these met at the very first Employers' Forum on 1st December 2008, at Staffordshire University. Those who had not signed up to praXis did so there and then!



Mark Webster from the Creative Communities Unit (CCU) of the University told the group that the participants on the course this year include students on the CCU's MA in Community and Participatory Arts, as well as a range of practitioners who have applied to do the training as a short course. What makes the Artist Professional Development Programme unique is the very close working relationship with employers who are hosting the practical work, and in some cases offering commissions. Mark talked about the CCU's strong relationship with local and regional employers and emphasised that the Programme has developed directly from the needs of employers as well as current arts and health practice.

The Forum decided to develop a checklist of good practice for the Programme, and to begin this process they agreed a number of expectations from Commissioners, the University and Students. Future meetings will address issues around good practice in commissioning, problem solving and support for commissioners in giving feedback to artists. At the end of the meeting the group suggested areas they felt should be covered on the Artist Professional Development Programme, and that this should be reviewed again at the end of the course.

Sharing Stories

This month Niki Holmes takes us through
the choppy waters of PFI development
within a Hospital Trust context.

As an external consultant navigating through opaque PFI processes and occasional squally relationships between- Contractor and NHS Trust, it is at times not unlike sailing a dingy between two converging oil tankers, with no sign that either can or is willing to give way! It is difficult to avoid project proposals being buffeted off course or sunk without trace. In such conditions, it is the individual attitudes of people to the purpose and value of the Arts in Healthcare that makes or breaks any particular project proposal. So, every time I encounter a secret Participatory Arts zealot in a Service Manager or convert a cynical consultant, I am overjoyed. It means that I can make real headway!

The new PFI developments for Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nottinghamshire have enabled positive changes to service provision. A sum of £3,000 was set aside from the capital expenditure, to provide 'Art enhancements' to a new Genitourinary and Medicine facility as well as clinic settings for Contraception Advice & Sexual Health and The Drug and Alcohol Action Team. The commissioning team included service management, key clinical and nursing staff. However, although the budget was there and agreed, frustratingly the impetus to do anything with it appeared lacking from the stakeholders who had the power to use it.

In the meantime I was approached by the Artist Professional Development Programme at Staffordshire University to put forward placement opportunities for this year's cohort of students. I felt the backing of a University would add the academic advocacy and provide quality assurance that could make all the difference to detractors. Although some stakeholders were initially wary and somewhat sceptical, they soon began to see for themselves how this engaged commission process could generate Art relevant and responsive to their patients' needs.

Far from being disinterested in the potential of Arts in Health, as soon as they had an insight to the process and knew that these commissions would be developed and delivered in full consultation and with a supported awareness of the particular context of Arts in Health, tailored to their services requirements; there was not just support but enthusiasm. So much so that, following one interview, The lead consultant who interviewed the Artist was wide eyed and jaw hung at the prospect that the Artist might have other placement offers and not choose to work with us. He certainly was not indifferent to having an Artwork in his clinic any longer!

I'm glad to say that both the Artists selected at interview have accepted their commission offers and those involved in the clinics are eager to start the project process this month. There will not doubt be various rafts of 'DDA requirements' and 'Hard and Soft FM approvals' to dodge in the spring- but I won't be sailing single handed this time!

If your organisation is interested in supporting the training of artists, arts development workers and health or community workers in participatory arts and health work, why not join this Forum? The next meeting will be held on Monday 2 March, from 11am - 2.30pm in The Activity Space, Staffordshire University. The University hopes to continue the ongoing involvement with employers, and to find out more about the work of the Creative Communities Unit, visit their website: www.staffs.ac.uk/community or contact Mark Webster by email at m.webster@staffs.ac.uk.

The Partnership is hosting a workshop on Tuesday 24th February at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. 'An Insider's Guide to Marketing the Arts to Primary Care Trusts' will be delivered by Paul Southon, Public Health Practitioner from Wolverhampton City PCT. The event runs from 11am to 12.30pm and costs just £5 which includes lunch. Although priority places will be given to those based in the Black Country and praXis members, the event is open to everyone across the West Midlands region. But you need to hurry as there are only 30 spaces available!
To book please contact Debbie Shelley, Education and Outreach Administrator at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on 01902 552194 or email Debra.Shelley@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Don't forget to have a look at the 'Move It!' dance and health website www.moveitblackcountry.co.uk For more information on Black Country Arts and Health Joint Commissioning, email info@creativehealthcic.co.uk