‘Breathe’ is an arts project that will engage with individuals in Liverpool who experience asthma and, working collaboratively with Liverpool PCT and Asthma UK, connect them into a city wide support network.
Sense of Sound and Merseyside Dance Initiative will use singing; dance and movement to help people better understand the signs and symptoms of asthma and will work with people to find new ways of managing their condition through breathing and relaxation exercises and gentle movement. At the same time the project will signpost them towards treatment and help them to manage their asthma more effectively. In addition to this the project aims to introduce people to singing and dance and to nurture and develop this interest beyond the project where possible.
How?
- Singing – learning to sing will give a better understanding of breath control and posture.
- Movement and dance – will enhance existing physiotherapeutic support for respiratory conditions
Practitioners will work with relaxation techniques, posture, energy flow and muscle groups aiming to provide additional practical tools for helping to people control their breath and breathing.
Both organisations believe that this participatory ‘song and dance’ project will create a sense of wellbeing and transform the quality of life for the individuals involved.
BREATHE will take place in community centres, public places, community health settings and hospitals. It will connect with the Decade of Health and Well Being and promote the Five Ways to Well Being.
First Take will document elements of the project and create ‘micro-films’ based on the project this footage will be used to raise awareness of the project and the existing support network in Liverpool
Why?
The Breathe project provides an opportunity for both all partners to work together collaboratively and to fully evaluate how arts interventions can have a positive impact on improving both physical health and mental wellbeing.
The impact of the project will be measured by monitoring both the physical and mental wellbeing of a sample of participants and gathering both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ evidence and by the number of people signing up to Asthma UK’s Liverpool Wide Support Network during and after the project.
The project will also gather information from individuals across Liverpool who’s lives are affected by asthma. This information will build a resource for Asthma UK which will be used to improve both the information available to asthma sufferers and the management of individual pathways from diagnosis to treatment and management of their condition.
There will be opportunities for members of the public to become involved so please watch this space. Also email the office if you wish to state your interest in becoming involved by emailing info@senseofsound.net
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