Arts for Health MK: Blog












Articles

Supportive Conversations
18 September 2024


Courtyard Community Action Days
August 2024

Artists’ Health and Wellbeing Booklet
14 June 2024


Our Impact Leaflet - Download
04 June 2024


20th Anniversary Event
25 May 2024


New Artwork for MKUH Collection
25 May 2024

Spring Newsletter 2024
16 May 2024


Project Update:
Creative Play - Music and Song
07 May 2024


Project Update: Headstart
02 May 2024


Impact of The Collection
01 May 2024


Twenty for Twenty
28 March 2024


New Artworks on Loan from Paintings in Hosptials
27 March 2024

IATE Student Art Therapist - Julie Laugere

26 March 2024

Call for Creative Courtyard Volunteers
14 March 2024

Winter Newsletter 2024
30 January 2024


A Supportive Conversation with Dr Esther Aslan 
26 January 2024


Feel Good Foods Cookbook
21 November 2023


AGM 22nd Nov 2023
2 November 2023


Music workshops
24 August 2023

AHA Inclusivity & Diversity Badge
20 July 2023


Gill Quinnell - degree show
20 June 2023


Summer Newsletter
16 June 2023


Courtyards Update
6 June 2023


Movement and Dance with Kate Taylor - Taster Session
9 May 2023


Artist’s Listening Event
20 March 2023


Winter Newsletter
8 December 2022

Drumming Circle

6 December 2022

Courtyards Update
1 November 2022

MK DAD 2022
14 July 2022

Our First Newsletter
16 June 2022

Art Psychotherapy
20 May 2022

Exploring Identities
10 May 2022


Peter-Randall Page Sculpture 
March 2022


Trustee Vacancy
16th July 2021

MKDAD 2021
14 July 2021

Music4Mindfulness

12th April 2021

Programme Update
5th February 2021

Exhibition MK Gallery Project Space
Update 1 December 2020
Update 5th November 2020

16th October 2020

Heritage Open Days 2020
 
11-20 September 2020

We are recruiting:  Freelance Fundraiser 
15th July 2020

Jazz Moreton Spaghetti For Two:
MKDAD 2020
13th July 2020

Call for Entries:
Arts for Health MK Gallery – Online

24th April 2020

Online Resources
- we would love to hear your feedback

March 2020

Covid-19 virus statement
and effects on Arts for Health MK public activities

March 2020

New art exhibition from paintings in hospitals
November 2019

Call for Entries:
Exhibit at Milton Keynes University Hospital

September 2019

Call for Artists:
MKDAD Open Art Exhibition

June 2019


Artist profile: Bill Billings
June 2018


Feature Friday: Hannah Wilson 2018











Supportive Conversations with Dr Esther Aslan

18 September 2024

"Ever wonder what happens when different perspectives come together? Sometimes it takes a shared conversation to see the whole elephant... 🐘…

Well what another successful “Supportive Conversations” session for artists we had on 18th September!  The focus of the session this month was; ‘Building Rapport when Time is Limited’.


“These interactive sessions provide a warm space to reflect, share experiences, and discuss both highlights and concerns that come up in your work with individuals and groups of people. Over the past year, each session has focused on a theme, such as building rapport, supporting those going through difficult times, or addressing the common worry of “getting it wrong.” It’s a great opportunity to connect with others, gain fresh insights, take care of your own well-being or even just vent about the common struggles that artists may be facing these days . And of course, there will be very yummy biscuits and tea!”
Dr Esther Aslan, host

"At Arts for Health MK we take the health and wellbeing of our artists very seriously. As well as our recently published health and wellbeing guide https://tinyurl.com/3vv7vreb, we have been delighted to host Esther Aslan, Educational and Child Psychologist, at MK Arts Centre to run a number of sessions "In Conversation". The sessions have been well attended and in some instances, over subscribed. Artists have been able to access structured workshops covering critical issues such as exploring best practice, professional boundaries, effective communication, and better understanding mental health. We look forward to being able to hold more sessions in the future, with the next being on Wednesday 4th December, and then into next year. If you are a full-time artist working in a Creative Health space, you can book onto the session by emailing ︎ fiona@miltonkeynesartscentre.org - don't delay!"
Ben Heyworth, Director of AfHMK. 

Here is some of the feedback we have received from participants:

“I really love how Esther is able to open up the group, and let people talk. She is an amazing speaker with great skills, and even just from that there is a lot to learn, and this on the top of all the information we address at these sessions. My specific goal is to focus more on the human connection, by offering a non judgemental environment and letting people on my courses freely express themself. Each and every person carries their story with themself, and wants to be understood and heard in some way. I think this is also what we talked about at the first session. To connect with people is not easy but I believe it is a skill that can be developed.” 

"The conversation feels natural and comfortable, Esther makes a lot of effort to put participants at ease "

“Since the talk I have made an effort to put people at the centre of all the engagement work I do, instead of projecting a set of things I would like people to achieve during our time together. The most important work artists do, I believe, is to make space for people to discover and explore. Keeping this at the forefront of my work has been an invaluable tool as I move further into my career as an artist and facilitator.” 

“Having space to learn from other professionals and share experience and practice was invaluable and highly motivating. The settings artists work in when engaging can vary greatly, and sometimes it is difficult to know what approach is best. Having a simple baseline of what I hope people leave with, and keeping that present during engagement, has been a powerful way to steer the work.”

“It helps me to step back and consider my approach, hearing other opinions is also helpful"

“It was good to have an opportunity to come together with other artists to share our knowledge and experience. It was surprising how few artists are actually qualified in care work. Most seemed to have picked up experience along the way. There is clearly a big demand for working therapeutically within the Arts which has obvious massive health benefits. I’m not sure that I picked up any new skills in particular but it did confirm that I seem to be doing the right thing with my sessions and sharing within the group definitely felt very supportive. It was also useful to have a list of relevant organisations to be in contact with if necessary. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of these conversations.”

Click here to see our event page on Facebook.

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Arts for Health Milton Keynes
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Milton Keynes Hospital
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MK6 5LD


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Arts for Health Milton Keynes is the working name of MK Arts for Health charity number 1107625  company number 05137693