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The Atkinson's
'Festival of Wellbeing'
KEEP active, sociable and creative
is the take home message from a 4 day long wellbeing festival at The
Atkinson, being held to coincide with World Mental Health Day; Friday,
10 October 2014.
Over 4 days Monday, 6 October 2014 to Thursday, 9 October 2014, there will be dozens of
free activities and events for both the public and healthcare
professionals.
On Monday, 6 October 2014, drop in arts and crafts sessions will provide
the opportunity to chat to others whilst you flex your creative
muscles. Aimed at older people and those at risk of social
isolation, these activities are tasters of classes available
throughout the year. Artist led informal sessions include ceramics
and painting. (11am to 3pm)
A taster session for The Atkinson's free 'Think Differently, Cope
Differently' course, based on the 'Five Ways to Wellbeing', will also
run on the first day of the festival (2pm).
The principles and techniques of mindfulness are explored on
Tuesday, which is a day aimed at both healthcare professionals and
anyone with an interest in arts, health and complimentary therapies.
A practical session from 10.30am to 12noon will introduce the basics,
with opportunities for participation. Although intended for those
working in healthcare, the drop in session is open to the public.
In the afternoon, there will be a presentation and discussion on the
principles and impact of creativity on health. A 'show and
tell'
networking opportunity will allow healthcare organisations to share
good practise and promote their work. Contributions include speakers
from Merseycare's Recovery College, Creative Alternatives, SAFE
Productions and Collective Encounters.
Zumba, Tai Chi, chair based exercise, cycling and walking are all in
the mix for Wednesday, a day dedicated to the importance of physical
activity. There's plenty to keep you on your toes, with a guided
walk from The Atkinson to Queens Gardens in the morning, Tai Chi at
11am and a Zumba class at 1pm.
'Good Food - Good Mood' healthy eating promotions and
free samples will be available in the Bakery Café all week and a
cycle parade display featuring old bicycles, film and photography
also runs 11am to 3pm.
Thursday's focus is on dementia. 800,000 people in
the UK have dementia and the figure is set to top a million by 2021.
Rates of diagnosis are rising each year and it is widely
acknowledged to be one of the UK's greatest health challenges.
Amongst the activities planned for Thursday are a pop up 1950s
living room, which is designed to encourage positive reminiscences
in older people with dementia. Backed by Deborah Meaden and Peter
Jones from Dragons Den, Rem Pods are becoming an increasingly common
fixture in care homes and NHS gerontology services around the UK.
Learn how you can help people with the condition at 2 Dementia
Friends training sessions (11am to 12noon and 2.30pm to 3.30pm) and find out
more about what's going on for a person with dementia from Dr Lisa
Williams, a consultant in gerontology and psychiatry (1om to 2pm). Take
time out for 10 minutes relaxation with mini-massage and reflexology
sessions available 1pm to 3pm and enjoy a rousing performance from the
Southport Alzheimer's Society's Singing For The Brain group.
Philip Wroe, community partnerships manager for The Atkinson said:-
"During the late 18th century, Southport was conceived as a
seaside resort specifically for convalescence and healing, so it is
only fitting that wellbeing is integral to everything we do at The
Atkinson.
Sefton's award winning arts on prescription service Creative
Alternatives is now based at The Atkinson and we're increasingly
operating as a wellbeing hub that offers programmes and activities,
advice, information and signposting to support healthier lifestyles.
The aim of the four day festival, in the run up to World Mental
Health Day, is to increase awareness of our offer to service users,
their families and carers and also to healthcare professionals".
For more information please visit:-
website or call:- 01704
533333. |
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From A Distance
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The Southport Americana Festival
GRAB a root beer and a chilli dog
with a side of slaw and get ready to feast your ears on some of the
biggest names on the Americana music scene.
Martha Wainwright, Anais Mitchell and Mary Gauthier are amongst the
top US artists performing at From A Distance, Southport's boutique
Americana festival.
Returning for a second year, to feed an ever growing audience for
the roots music style, the 3 day event pitches the best of
all-American talent against up and coming UK Americana acts.
The festival will once again take over cultural hub, The
Atkinson,
which is right in the Town Centre just a stone's throw from the sea.
the event is in association with the Americana Music Association UK
and will see acts playing from 7.30pm until 10.30pm, each night. An
American themed menu featuring specials including mac 'n' cheese and
pulled pork baps
Kicking things off on the Friday is husband and wife duo The
Mastersons, whose ongoing status as members of Steve Earle's band
The Dukes has won them fans all over the world. Next up is acclaimed
singer Anais Mitchell whose most recent release, Child Ballads just
won a BBC Radio 2 folk award for best traditional song.
On Saturday, you can catch a performance from classical violinist
turned folk fiddler Carrie Rodriguez (+ Luke Jacobs), who will
showcase a selection of tracks from her 5th solo album Give Me All
You Got. Canadian; American folk rock singer songwriter Martha
Wainwright, (sister of Rufus and daughter of Loudon), will also
grace the stage on Saturday. Since 2005, she has released three
full length studio albums and various EPs that have been met with
worldwide critical acclaim.
On Sunday, it's the turn of alt country band Red Sky July, featuring
former Texas guitarist Ally Mcerlaine, Shelly Poole, previously one
half of million selling duo Alisha's Attic and Charity Hair from The
Alice Band and latterly The Ailerons, with Blur's Dave Rowntree.
Introducing songs from their long awaited follow up album Shadowbirds, the group will be followed by headline act and American
troubadour Mary Gauthier, who was described as one of Americana's
most admired artists by the Wall Street Journal.
The Atkinson's festival partner AMA-UK was formed in 2012 with a
very clear mission; to encourage an appreciation of Americana music,
in all its glorious forms, and to improve the public and
professional profile of this expansive musical genre.
Why not stay in the Town Centre for the weekend? The Atkinson has
negotiated deals with 3 and 4 star hotels, starting from £85
for twin occupancy bed and breakfast per night. Click on
here for more information.
Full 3 day line up
Friday - 7.30pm AMA-UK act tba.
8.15pm. The Mastersons;
9pm. interval;
9.30pm. Anais Mitchell - Tickets are £12 from the
Box Office.
Saturday - 7.30pm AMA-UK act tba.
8.15pm Carrie Rodriguez (+ Luke Jacobs);
9pm interval;
9.30pm Martha Wainwright -Tickets are £22 from the
Box Office.
Sunday - 7.30pm AMA-UK act tba;
8.15pm Red Sky July;
9pm interval;
9.30pm. Mary Gauthier Tickets are £15 from the
Box Office.
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