Arts Care

Dance Movement and Relaxation sessions are going strong in Ballyowen Day Centre, Belfast Health and Social Trust. 💃🕺

Facilitated by Arts Care Dancer in Residence, Carmel Garvey. The Ballyowen dancers are always in full swing. Great energy and amazing fun. The group are really engaging in the sessions.❤️

Staff: Our service users really look forward to Carmel coming. They love the sessions. They are so full of energy and at the same time so relaxed afterwards. We all love the sessions. So positive and full of good ideas.

Service users:
“I feel so great after Carmel’s Dance. I feel stretched and fit.”
”We need it every day”
“I feel the good of the class for the rest of the day.”
“We have lots of laughs and great moves”

For more information about what we do:
📞 02890311122
📲 www.artscare.co.uk

Celebrating 20 Years of Laughter with Arts Care Clown Doctors! 🎉

For two decades, our Clown Doctors have been spreading joy and laughter to children in hospitals, helping them cope with difficult times and making their stays more bearable. 🎶❤👨‍⚕️🤡

Speaking of "bearable," let's talk about the Clown Doctors Teddy Bear's Clinic. It's amazing to think about how many sick teddies have been nursed back to health by the Clown Doctors over the past 20 years. And when the teddies are happy, the children are happy too.🧸☺

Thank you, Dr Clooless, Dr Dapper, Dr Fizz, Dr Muddle and Dr Twinkle, for showing that laughter truly is the best medicine. 🌟

And thanks to Belfast Telegraph for the article and support.

Meet NI’s Clown Doctors: ‘Every day we see first-hand laughter is the best medicine’ A team of Clown Doctors is celebrating 20 years of administering the best medicine to sick children — and is now hoping to spread laughter into nursing homes.

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 - 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 (37.5 hours a Week)🎉

Would you like to work in a fantastic arts, health and well-being charity based in Belfast? Now is your chance to join a bright, vibrant team in the NI Arts Sector 🎵🎨

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of Arts Care’s contribution to the Ignite Community Programme, a four-year social innovation programme supported by PEACEPLUS, and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). 🤩

👉🏻The closing date is 5pm 25 July 2024
👉🏻Interviews are to be held on Wednesday 31 July 2024
👉🏻Fixed Term for 4 Years

Click the link to apply
📲 www.artscare.co.uk/project-officer-ignite

Introducing Skylarks 🥳❤

We were delighted to pilot our new ‘Skylarks’ Service recently at Adelaide House Care Home, as part of the Public Health Agency Funded ‘Here and Now Festival for Older People’.

Our Skylarks are trained actors who use their skills to improvise, sing and play, and engage with people living with dementia in residential care settings. The Skylarks work with staff in the facilities to tailor their programme to the needs of recipients and the overall aim is to encourage engagement and interaction with recipients and bring humour joy and laughter into the facilities.

The staff and residents had a fantastic time with our Skylarks….Norman and Nora, and we look forward to more sessions and developing the service further.

For more information about what we do:
📞 02890311122
📲 www.artscare.co.uk

🎭Are you ready to meet our Wonky Family? 😁

Don't miss the Wonky Family Adventures, our Monday Players' new performance in Connswater !

📅 Monday 24th June
🕒 2:30-3:30 PM
📍Meet at Arts Care Creative Space, Connswater Shopping Centre, Belfast BT5 5LP

Meet the unique characters from The Wonky Family businesses and
follow them across the mall in their battle against being shut down by Inspector Straight & Narrow!
Limited spaces available, registration is strongly advised at the link below
forms.gle/Yuu7QZpHYBs8d59d9

EastSide Partnership
EastSide Arts

Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Celebrating Learning Disability Week with Dance and Joy! 🎉💃🕺

This week, let’s shine a spotlight on a tiny bit of what we actually do here at Arts Care within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Our Dancer in Residence, Carmel Garvey, dedicated her time and energy to celebrating Learning Disability Week through dance. Carmel has been visiting various places, spreading joy and movement everywhere she goes.

Carmel said “it has been a privilege to dance with our wonderful service users and staff from various centres, including Orchardville Day Centre, Edgcumbe Day Centre, ETC Club, and Skyways Club”

Special shout-out to our Old Orbit Dance Group, who have been dancing with us for over 30 years! Their dedication and spirit are truly inspiring.

Edgcumbe Day Centre enjoyed a fantastic outdoor dance session, bringing the beauty of movement into the fresh air.

Learning Disability Week was highlighted with a variety of activities, including dance, yoga, and relaxation. This week focused on promoting health, well-being, and the rejuvenating power of dance and yoga for our service users and staff. 🌟💖

Carmel continues "All our service users participated fully and had so much fun. They finished each session full of energy, smiling happily, and feeling relaxed. It was just brilliant to see everyone socialising and having fun."

"Staff benefited too from sessions so much. Definitely a necessity for health and well-being."

The impact was clear:

❤️"I loved today dancing with Carmel. Will you come back soon again?"

❤️"This morning I felt so anxious. Now I feel so happy."

❤️"The centre is buzzing and spirits are high. Everyone is so happy after dancing with Carmel."

Don't miss The Wonky Family Adventures, our Monday Players' new performance in Connswater!

📅 Monday 24th June
🕒 2:30-3:30 PM
📍Meet at Arts Care Creative Space, Connswater Shopping Centre, Belfast BT5 5LP

Meet the unique characters from The Wonky Family businesses including Mrs. Knitty Knit, Miss Inside Out Upside Down, Mrs Polywonka, Prof. Maxus, and Miss Edie Swizzel-Hands.
Follow them across the mall in their battle against being shut down by Inspector Straight & Narrow!

Limited spaces available, registration is strongly advised at the link below
forms.gle/Yuu7QZpHYBs8d59d9

Join us for Late Night Art Belfast 🖼🎨

What do we have up in our Creative Space?

🖼On display are Katie Holten's six images from the "Wandering Within" series, individually screen printed onto glass panels in white ink, and supported by solid wooden plinths. Katie is an internationally renowned visual artist based in New York City. She grew up in rural Ireland and studied fine art and history of art at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, and the Hochschule der Kunst in Berlin.

🖼 Forever Our Home Tullycarnet Exhibition. This incredible project captures the voices, stories, and portraits of local older people, many of whom have called the high-rise flats in Tullycarnet their home for most of their lives. Created by Charter for NI supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and funded by the The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland, this project brought together the remarkable talents of Arts Care’s poet and writer Deirdre Cartmill and Arts Care’s visual artist and photographer Clare McComish. Through their collaborative efforts, we shared the memories and lives of the Tullycarnet community.

The Arts Care Creative Space,
Connswater Shopping Centre,
Belfast BT5 5LP.
Looking forward to seeing you all😊

We need your vote at the Bank of Ideas! 🎉

Arts Care and the neurodiversity networking/support group SPARK have reached the final of the Belfast 2024 Bank of Ideas funding application.

The plan is to present the idea of a creative family fun day specially designed for neurodivergent families. Children will enjoy interactive art and music sessions led by professionals while parents can connect with each other and expand their network. 💥🧠

Join SPARK at City Hall this Sunday from 2pm-5pm to cast your vote. Your vote supports what SPARK do and backs all the innovative ideas across the city. Bring the whole family along for a day of fun activities, including giant bubbles, live music, and children’s craft sessions in the Bobbin area. Let's make a difference together! 🌟🗳️

This Sunday, voting is in person and we need your votes 🙏

If you can’t vote in person you need to email [email protected] to ask for instructions to vote online, you will then be issued with a unique number to allow you 8 votes for 8 different projects. Online voting takes place this Monday coming to Tuesday.



For more information on SPARK: www.neurodiversityspark.com

🎨✨ Tullycarnet Urban Heritage Project Exhibition ✨📚

We are excited to share the success of the Forever Our Home Tullycarnet Exhibition and Book launch! On Thursday, 23rd May 2024, we celebrated this incredible project that captures the voices, stories, and portraits of local older people, many of whom have called the high-rise flats in Tullycarnet their home for most of their lives.

📝 Created by Charter for NI supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and funded by the The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland, this project brought together the remarkable talents of Arts Care’s poet and writer Deirdre Cartmill and Arts Care’s visual artist and photographer Clare McComish. Through their collaborative efforts, we shared the memories and lives of the Tullycarnet community.

📖 The exhibition showcased these heartfelt stories and portraits, offering a glimpse into Tullycarnet's transformation from a tranquil country suburb to a vibrant part of Belfast. Attendees experienced the deep sense of family and community that defines Tullycarnet and understood why these residents cherish their forever home.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special event and celebrated our community's rich heritage! 🏡❤️

The exhibition runs until August and will be open as part of Late Night Art on Thursday 6 June and 1 August 2024.

The August event will be part of EastSide Arts festival and will include some surprises in Connswater Shopping Centre, so save the date.

Arts Care’s Creative Hub and Anne Quail Gallery is open Tuesday to Thursday, 12noon-3pm.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Hidden Talents Exhibition launch yesterday evening 🖼🎉

Each year, Arts Care and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust invite all staff and registered volunteers of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to participate and submit up to 2 pieces of art for inclusion in the ‘Hidden Talents’ exhibition. This year the theme is “Pause…and looking forward”🥳

Hidden Talents is an opportunity to showcase the creative talent of staff and volunteers throughout the Trust. Reflecting on past experiences can help us build a more positive future. It provides insights, lessons, and growth we can use going forward. What we are experiencing now and how we can apply our experiences looking forward to a bright future.

🎨 The exhibition is displayed in the Tower Gallery, Belfast City Hospital and showcased online.

Why not pop in and take a look for yourself ☺️

New Exhibition Launch Announcement 📢

You’re invited to join us for the grand opening of the Tullycarnet Urban Heritage Project Exhibition and the launch of the Forever Our Home Tullycarnet Book. 📖🖼️

This event will feature a wonderful display of art, poems, stories, and memories shared by the older members of the Tullycarnet community.

Date: Thursday, 23rd May 2024
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: The Arts Care Creative Space, Connswater Shopping Centre, Belfast BT5 5LP

We hope to see you there!

Pop over to Connswater now for some free art activities and live music in partnership with our neighbours at East Belfast Community Development Agency and Dementia Friendly East Belfast. This event is to raise awareness and also highlight the benefits of art for people living dementia.

We hope to see you soon🎨❤🎤

Yoga and relaxation sessions with Arts Care Dancer in Residence, Carmel. 🧘‍♂️🧘‍♀️

Yesterday, the group took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful sunshine as they practised Yoga and Relaxation outside at “The Ravine” Knockbracken Health Care Park, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.☀️

Carmel said “It was the most idilic setting for our Yoga session. Deep breathing in nature and the incredible healing environment all around us. I feel so privileged to have such a great group of yogi’s join me each week as we focus on our yoga postures, breath, self care and improving our overall health and wellbeing.”

What did the participants say?: “I felt my body was so tight before our yoga session today and now it feels so loose and strong. My balance and posture has improved. I sleep much better and feel so much calmer and less stressed. My breathing has improved and I now use the breath daily to calm me and help with anxiety. The yoga with Carmel calms me. I feel strong. It’s so good to stretch. It is so relaxing.”☺️

The staff also benefit from the yoga workshops: “I really feel the benefit of stretching. My head feels clearer and re-focused.”

For more information about what we do:
📞 02890311122
📲 www.artscare.co.uk

We’re delighted to be in partnership with our neighbours at East Belfast Community Development Agency and Dementia Friendly East Belfast for this event at Connswater.

Check out the graphic below for more info.

We hope to see you there 🎨❤🎤

We had such an amazing time at the Shanes Castle Steam Rally, 2024🚂🎨

With lots of games, storytelling, art activities, and with our musical clown going “full steam ahead”, there were lots of happy children, and adults alike.

What a fantastic event. ☺️🎈

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲: In Your Shoes 🩰💗
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Recovery College (Day Centre), Lisnamallard Western Health and Social Care Trust
𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Michelle Young

“Yours are the only shoes made to walk your journey.” – Charles F. Glassman.

Life is an individual and personal journey. We have all walked our own path and experienced its highs and lows. During this 4- week programme, service users came together to connect with each other and to reflect on their individual, past and future journeys, as they upcycled their favourite pair of shoes.

Through the project, the group gelled, week on week, as participants chose to share different elements and parts of their journey. This workshop promoted connection with self and others, confidence and self-worth ❤

For more information about what we do:
📞 02890311122
📲 www.artscare.co.uk

Come see Arts Care at the Shanes Castle Steam Rally 2024🚂🎨

There will be games, storytelling, art activities, and lots of family fun.

Find us at 'the station' (the station is a location which can be found on the map of the site when you arrive)
....or simply follow our 'musical clown'. He'll guide you there. 😊❤

We are excited to see you all.

For more information: www.shanescastlesteamrally.co.uk

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 💃🕺
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞: Move More
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Ravara Court, Residential Centre South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Charmaine McMeekin

During this 12-week programme, participants came together to move, dance, sing, chat and laugh together. The turnout each week was incredible with people encouraging other residents to come along and try it out.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝: “I felt that this group were ripe for a 12-week programme, as their enthusiasm and commitment to the taster sessions was incredible. By week 10 I had observed an increase in the group's stamina and resilience in the session. They asked for one more song at the end of the session, which was glorious.”

One lady who lives with MS, was rotating her feet and doing a sidestep by the end of our weeks together! This was incredible, she said how much these sessions had helped increase her mobility in her lower body.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲
"Can you come twice a week."
"What will we do without you."

For more information about what we do:
📞 02890311122
📲 www.artscare.co.uk

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 💃🕺
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲: Shall We Dance?
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Community Hall, Portballintrae Northern Health and Social Care Trust
𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Vanessa Brodie

We offered three taster workshops on Movement and Dance for health and well-being with various groups, offering a creative, restorative and uplifting experience of dance to those who have been or are dealing with cancer. Movement brings joy and participants were gently encouraged into that sense of joy in the body as we dance. The workshops aimed at helping participants reconnect with themselves and each other through dance.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘆, “The energy levels of the group were much higher than anticipated. They responded with enthusiasm to all the music and dances. Those seated took part fully and with great energy of movement. There was a lot of smiles and laughter in this group."

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀:
"I find it hard to tell you in words how this experience made me feel. It was different. It was wonderful. I loved it. Therapeutic."
"The first time I've felt so connected in the group''
''I want to thank you for making this experience so inclusive. I felt fully part of it. Thank you for this.”

For more information about what we do:
📞 02890311122
📲 www.artscare.co.uk

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN!🥳
22nd - 26th April

Get your favourite Health & Wellbeing charity in the running for £5,000 today!

In recognition of all the charities who work to support Health and Wellbeing, the Benefact Group are giving 10 charities £5,000 each in this limited-time special draw.🤞🏼

Please nominate Arts Care. £5000 will go a long way 😊

Nominate now! - Movement for Good awards We could receive £5,000 in the Movement for Good draw.

We were delighted to host Open Arts at our Creative Space in Connswater this week.

Open Arts have recently opened a Javanese Gamelan unit in the Centre and we look forward to partnering them on a number of projects in the Centre and beyond.

Pictured with our CEO Barry is Eileen Branagh, CEO of Open Arts and Beverley McGeown, Music Director

Arts Care Board Announcement 📢

At our Board meeting yesterday, we said farewell to Nevin Oliver as our Chair and welcomed Dr Gavin Adams as our new Interim Chair.

Both are pictured with our CEO Barry outside our Creative Space at Connswater.

We look forward to Gavin leading us and are pleased that Nevin will remain on our Board as a Trustee.

The Here and Now Exhibition Showcase, is open to the public for Late Night Art Belfast Thusday, 4th April, 6pm - 9pm 📷🖼🎨🥳

The Arts Care Creative Space,
Connswater Shopping Centre,
Belfast BT5 5LP.

Looking forward to seeing you all😊

This programme is funded by the PHA.

Thank you to the 150 people who attended the launch of the Here and Now Exhibition Showcase today 📷🖼🎨🥳

There was music, song, art, dancing, visual art story telling, and laughter. 🥳🖼📷

Looking forward to the next Here and Now festival starting in Sept 2024 😊.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲
The exhibition is up until 1st May 2024
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 12-3pm

𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲
The Arts Care Creative Space,
Connswater Shopping Centre,
Belfast BT5 5LP.

😊

Exciting news 🥳🎉

We're proud to announce that our own Gary Gates, Business Development and Communications Manager, has been honoured with the "Best Newcomer Award" at the CO3 Chief Officers 3rd Sector Leadership Awards 2024.

Additionally, Gary was highly commended for the "Social Entrepreneurial Leader Award."

Congratulations, Gary, on your well-deserved recognition! Your hard work and dedication to Arts Care are truly making a difference.❤️

We also want to extend our congratulations to all the remarkable individuals who were shortlisted and nominated. Your dedication and leadership contribute immensely to the vibrancy and impact of our sector.

Well done to everyone involved!🎉