ARTS AND HEALTH: A particular focus for much of our work in Wales has emerged, inspired by both Heather and Ursula’s professional experience as, respectively, a music therapist and an art therapist and by James’ previous work in the field of Arts and Health. We have provided workshops with an emphasis on health and wellbeing to organisations such as The Bridgend Stroke Association and Rhondda Cynon Taf Carers’ Association. In addition, we have also been involved in the following events in Wales; All Wales Mental Health Promotion Network Conference, Wrexham, the launch of the online Youth Counselling Service for Powys County Council, Newtown, World Mental Health Day conference, Ebbw Vale. 

Since 2022, Ursula has been providing Taiko workshops in the NHS, as part of Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB’s WISE support programme.  https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/wise-ctm/patient-benefits/ctmuhb-creative-arts-health-and-wellbeing/taiko-drumming/

Five Ways To Wellbeing

The New Economic Foundation has completed a extensive review of the evidence of individual actions that promote wellbeing and have generated ‘five ways to wellbeing’, a wellbeing equivalent of ‘five fruit and vegetables a day’. Taiko ticks all five!

“Connect…with the people around you. At home, work or in your local community. Building these connections will support and enrich you everyday.
Be Active…Exercising makes you feel good. Discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Take Notice…Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Savour the moment. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling.
Keep Learning…Try something new. Sign up for that course. Learn to play an instrument. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
Give…Do something nice for a friend. Smile. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.”

Taiko workshop with members of the Encephalitis Society on retreat at Buckland Hall, Brecon Beacons

Participants at the Taiko for Wellbeing Workshop

Feedback – “Alive!” “Drumtastic!” “Invigorating.”

People who take part in taiko workshops in a community or group setting, often express their subjective experience in highly positive terms – “joyful”, “exhilarating” “energising” – as we can see from the feedback above. As well as this qualitative evidence there is also an increasing amount of quantitative data that shows a wide range of benefits. If you put “drumming for health” in your search engine, you might be surprised at how much there is to find! 

 

CONTACT TAIKO WALES  ~  Email: taikowales@gmail.com  ~