Communicating through art

A FORMER member of psychedelic folk group The Incredible String Band was among the speakers at a conference organised by the University of Chester, which has a campus in Warrington.
Robin Williamson, who experienced worldwide success with the group, was one of the keynote speakers on the benefits of communicating feelings through art forms.
Organised by the Faculty of Health and Social Care, the Communicating through the Arts in Health Care Conference looked at how arts can communicate in ways conversation can not.
It was organised by Debbie Wyatt and Jan Woodhouse, faculty senior lecturers. Other speakers included Dr Cliff Richards GP acting cancer network lead in primary care, Faye Mitchell, art psychotherapist, Stephanie Davies, creative director of Laughology and others from the university.
Jan said: “The focus of the event was to get people to think about how we communicate different messages through a variety of different formats, including music, drama, dance, literature and poetry.
“The day furthered understanding of how we can communicate through different art forms and was aimed at health and social care professionals working in adult, mental health and learning disability settings, and those who may have an interest in the arts and its relationship to health.”
The conference included presentations and experiential workshops in art, drama, music, narratives, poetry and dance.

Picture: Robin Williamson presents his talk to conference delegates.