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Breathing Space dance-in-health
Breathing Space is the celebrated dance-in-health initiative that nurtures and supports public health through dance. It comprises a popular programme of workshops, residencies and performances for those whose lives are affected by illness and life-changing conditions, and promotes dance as a creative and enriching way to cultivate wellbeing. Breathing Space was launched in 2002 by Dance Art Foundation Artistic Director, Joe Moran, who continues to lead the programme with an outstanding team of project artists working nationally.
Breathing Space Children’s Programme works with children and young people with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses, disability and complex needs in hospitals, hospital schools, hospices, psychiatric units and community settings across the UK. It was developed in direct response to considerable interest from children’s health services following pilot workshops at Evelina Children’s Hospital in February 2006. A generous three-year award of £126,000 from the True Colours Trust enabled Dance Art Foundation to establish the children’s programme in September 2006, incorporating workshops for children and adolescents, medical and care staff training, performances and community projects.
The children's programme has subsequently received awards from a number of funding organisations including BBC Children in Need and 95.8 Capital FM's Help a London Child.
The workshop was led brilliantly... one child’s parents were particularly happy as they had been trying
to encourage physical activity and this workshop had their son doing that without really thinking about it - Richard House Hospice
The sessions developed the children with short attention spans and kept them engaged for an extended period of time. It was so evident it was a positive experience – pleasure, happy gestures and vocalisation... Looking forward to sharing this work through staff and volunteer training and enabling more children to participate over the coming months - Acorns Hospices
Breathing Space Partners
Breathing Space is currently delivered in partnership with Chelsea & Westminster Health Charity, Children’s Hospices UK, Chisenhale Dance Space, Enfield Council Joint Services for Disabled Children, Entelechy Arts, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Charity, Mousetrap Educational Charity, Royal London Hospital, Siobhan Davies Studios, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Southwark Council, Tower Hamlets Pupil Referral Unit and Vital Arts at Barts & The London NHS Trust.
Its current programme works with Acorns in Birmingham, Acorns in the Black Country, Acorns for the Three Counties, Brian House, Chase Hospice Care for Children, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Chestnut Tree House, Durants School, Evelina Hospital School, Helen & Douglas House Hospice, The Link Secondary School, Little Havens, Rainbows, Richard House, Royal London Hospital School, Martin House, Shooting Star, Snowsfields Adolescence Unit and St. Andrews Hospice.
Photograph courtesy of Guy's & St Thomas' Charity
Crossover intergenerational dance company
performing
at
Evelina Children's Hospital to celebrate the
first
year
of
the
Breathing Space Children's Programme