Hello, my name is Lollie Brewer and I have recently been appointed to Perranporth surgery as the artist in residence for an organization called Arts for Health (Cornwall and the Isles of Scillies) http://www.artsforhealthcornwall.org.uk
My job has three aims:
- To help promote health education through using arts and crafts
- To provide support groups for clients with specific health needs
- To change the look and feel of the surgery.
We have several projects which are due to start very soon and this link will provide you with up to date information on what is happening with the arts in the surgery.
So far the surgery staff has identified several areas they would like to address and here is the work we propose to do with them:
Clients who have depression or lose who feel isolated and lonely but who are mobile, there will be an initial 6 week painting and drawing session on the beach where a group will try unusual ways to paint and draw. This work will be the research for a large piece of collective work to be hung in the surgery which will be guided by an artist form the Perranporth Arts Society.
The isolated elderly who are less mobile will be invited to design a group piece of work with a local crafter over a series of sessions to create new seat covers for the waiting room on the subject of ‘Waves in the Bay’.
The stop smoking group will be invited to explore the positive aspects of quitting smoking by creating a linear walkway which will show the way to the clinic.
There are other proposed sessions which will be one off health promotion days. The first one which will take place is on the 20th and 22nd of August on the subject of ”Staying safe in the Sun”. If you are visiting the surgery on these dates be sure to have a go at the workshops!
Finally, we are trying to create a more sensory environment in the waiting area, so that there are things to do, see, hear and smell while you wait. We are in the process of installing a looped DVD of short art films and animations will happen just as soon as we have raised enough funds to get the equipment. As well as this we are having discussions with a herbalist about planting some herbs in the planted area which are colourful and have healing qualities.
If you have any ideas about improving your waiting area or for any projects you would like to see run, then please do contact me through the receptionists and we will certainly look at it for you.
So look out for a variety of sessions which will either be displayed on our new ”Arts in Health” display are in the foyer (soon to be installed) or ask your GP
I look forward to meeting you
Lollie
Arts in Health Coordinator.