A scheme to get mental health patients involved in dance and drama has begun at St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton, the “largest mental health facility in UK”.
Staff from the town’s Royal and Derngate theatre are delivering a pilot project, offering a series of eight dance and drama workshops for inpatients. Thirty women and young people with complex and challenging mental health needs are given the opportunity to learn theatre and dance skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Tina Heeley, arts manager at St Andrew’s, said, “we were hearing more and more that the patients wanted dance and drama, and I’m delighted we’re now able to offer this to build on creating a wider arts provision here at the charity.
“There’s evidence coming to the forefront demonstrating that dance and drama can contribute to increasing a sense of well-being and helping patients with their road to recovery.”