Recording of the Lancs CPAN Meeting

LPM Dance's Neuro Moves Programme for Parkinson's

Helen Gould, supported by Mel Brierley and Daphne, presented the LPM Dance Neuro Moves programme, detailing its origins, structure, benefits for people living with Parkinson's, current challenges around funding and sustainability, and the importance of practitioner skill sharing and research collaborations.

• Programme Origins and Structure: Helen Gould explained that LPM Dance was established in 2012 to bring dance experiences to underserved communities, with the Neuro Moves programme starting in 2018 to support people living with neurological conditions, particularly Parkinson's. The programme now offers weekly classes in multiple Lancashire locations and online, delivered by a network of experienced practitioners including Mel Brierley and Daphne.
• Benefits of Dance for Parkinson's: Helen described how dance provides multi-dimensional benefits for people with Parkinson's, including improved motor control, balance, fluidity of movement, and social connection. The programme uses music, rhythmic auditory stimulation, touch-based practice, and metaphorical imagery to support both physical and emotional well-being, with classes tailored to individual needs and abilities.
• Participant Feedback and Community Involvement: Helen highlighted participant testimonials emphasising the sense of community, safety, and emotional support fostered by the classes. The programme actively listens to participant voices, involving them in shaping class content and direction, and encourages involvement in performance and volunteering opportunities to widen social engagement.
• Research, Collaboration, and International Skill Sharing: Helen and Mel described their involvement in research projects such as 'Empowering Voices' with the University of Lancashire, which focuses on co-creative research with participants. They also detailed international skill sharing with dance therapists and artists in Bucharest, facilitating mutual learning and performance exchanges between UK and Romanian communities.
• Funding Challenges and Sustainability: Helen, supported by Mel and Daphne, outlined the precarious nature of current funding, the need to prioritise sustaining existing classes, and the challenges in expanding provision or supporting practitioner development due to lack of core funding. The group discussed the importance of stable funding, referral pathways, and NHS engagement to ensure programme continuity.

Referral Pathways and NHS Collaboration

Daphne, Daniel, Chhetri, and Alex discussed the need for improved referral pathways between the NHS and community arts programmes, highlighting current gaps, the importance of clinician awareness, and opportunities for collaboration to increase access for people with Parkinson's.

• Current Gaps in Referral Pathways: Daphne noted the lack of established referral pathways from the NHS to community dance programmes for Parkinson's, suggesting that greater education for NHS staff about the evidence base and benefits of such programmes could improve uptake and access.
• Clinician and Provider Awareness: Daniel asked whether hospitals and community nursing teams are aware of the Neuro Moves programme, offering to facilitate introductions via a steering group that includes clinicians from all local hospitals and community teams, to increase awareness and referrals.
• NHS Perspective on Exercise and Support: Chhetri, a consultant neurologist, emphasised that exercise is the primary treatment he prescribes for Parkinson's, but lamented the limited access for patients in the region due to lack of support and dedicated staff. He called for a strategic plan to improve access and reduce hospital admissions.
• Opportunities for Collaboration: The group agreed on the value of inviting clinicians, social prescribers, and Parkinson's nurses to experience classes first-hand, which would enable them to advocate more effectively for the programme. Daniel provided his contact details to facilitate further collaboration and inclusion in NHS meetings.

Lancaster Arts' 'Are You Lost?' Project and Nature Connectedness:

Jocelyn Cunningham presented Lancaster Arts' 'Are You Lost?' project, describing its focus on connecting diverse communities to nature through creative arts, the project's structure and outcomes, and its implications for mental health, social isolation, and future cross-sector collaboration.

• Project Overview and Aims: Jocelyn explained that 'Are You Lost?' was part of the Nature Calling initiative, funded by Arts Council England, Defra, and the National Landscapes Association, aiming to explore how arts engagement can foster a sense of belonging, identity, and connection to nature, particularly for urban and marginalised communities.
• Community Engagement and Activities: The project involved creative workshops, walks, and activities with young people, farmers, conservationists, and community groups, resulting in over 21,000 participants. Outputs included a film, podcasts, and festivals in various locations, with activities designed to build trust, encourage reflection, and facilitate intergenerational and cross-cultural exchange.
• Impact on Wellbeing and Social Connection: Jocelyn and participants described how the project provided opportunities for emotional expression, processing grief, and building connections with strangers in wild spaces. The arts-based approach enabled participants to experience nature's emotional resonance and fostered a sense of community and healing.
• Lessons Learned and Future Directions: Jocelyn emphasised that wild spaces are accessible in everyday environments, not just designated natural beauty areas, and that sustainable, collaborative approaches are needed to address mental health, grief, and social isolation. She advocated for breaking down sector silos and building on the project's learning in future strategic planning.

Cross-Sector Collaboration and Next Steps

Alex, Darren, Jocelyn, Laura Ivinson, and others discussed the importance of ongoing collaboration between arts, health, and leisure sectors, identifying opportunities for joint action, shared learning, and the development of sustainable networks to support creative health initiatives.

• Importance of Sustained Collaboration: Participants agreed that building on each other's work and sharing practice across sectors is essential for addressing complex issues such as mental health, social isolation, and access to nature. The session was positioned as the start of a series of conversations to develop joint strategies.
• Network and Funding Development: Alex and Darren discussed previous attempts to establish a Creative Health Network and the need to pursue further funding to support cross-sector initiatives, with the aim of creating spaces for ongoing dialogue and project development.
• Practical Next Steps: The group agreed to hold follow-up meetings to determine the best routes forward, including separate conversations focused on Parkinson's support and outdoor education, and to connect with additional partners such as the Yorkshire Dales trust and other local organisations.

Referral Pathways for Arts and Nature-Based Activities

Michael, Jocelyn, and Laura Ivinson discussed the current state of referral pathways for arts and nature-based activities within the health and leisure sectors, highlighting the importance of building trust, integrating creative approaches, and expanding traditional exercise referral models.

• Building Trust in Referral Pathways: Michael explained that successful referral pathways depend on referrers' trust in the process, which can be built through trial, testing, and positive outcomes. He noted that clinicians are often aware of alternative sessions, but initial trust is key to sustainability.
• Expanding Beyond Traditional Models: Jocelyn and Laura Ivinson advocated for moving beyond one-off activities or traditional exercise referral programmes, suggesting that collective, creative, and place-based approaches can address broader outcomes such as mental health, grief, and social isolation.

Follow-up tasks

• Parkinson’s Dance Programme Funding and Sustainability: Arrange a separate follow-up meeting to discuss strategies for sustaining and funding the Neuro Moves dance classes for people with Parkinson’s, including the Dalton and Lancaster classes. (Alex, Helen, Darren)
• Referral Pathways and Awareness for Parkinson’s Services: Coordinate with Daniel and the ICB steering group to increase awareness of dance programmes for Parkinson’s among clinicians, hospitals, and community nursing teams, and facilitate inclusion in referral pathways. (Helen, Daniel)
• NHS and Social Prescribing Collaboration: Organise a separate conversation with NHS representatives to explore educational initiatives for NHS staff about the benefits of arts-based interventions for Parkinson’s and to improve social prescribing and referral pathways. (Alex, Daphne, Daniel)
• Practitioner Support and Development: Discuss and develop a strategy to support existing trained practitioners and create pathways for emerging artists in the region, considering the loss of the University of Lancashire course. (Helen)
• Cross-Sector Collaboration for Arts and Health: Connect relevant stakeholders after the meeting to determine the best route forward for ongoing collaboration and follow-up sessions, building on the work discussed in the meeting. (Alex, Darren)
• Creative Health Network Funding Bid: Prepare and submit a new funding bid to support the establishment of the Creative Health Network, following the unsuccessful application to the Legal and General Health Equity Fund. (Alex, Darren)

Next Lancs CPAN Meeting 

• Tuesday 20th January, 1.30pm - 4.30pm

The January CPAN session will be held in person at Pendle Leisure Trust, No.1, Market St, Nelson, BB9 7LJ

The session will be to meet and hear from the team at North Yorkshire Authority who have lead the transformation of their Leisure stock to become Health Hubs as part of their Local Government Reorganisation and aligned to their Devolution priorities.

The session replaces the proposed site visit to Ripon Leisure Centre because of the numbers from Lancashire who expressed an interest. Our thanks go to Pendle Leisure Centre Trust for hosting the session. Attendees should note that on street parking with a Parking disc is available next to the venue.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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