More than 1100 health and social care professionals are set to participate in Scottish Ballet’s first self-care workshop today, aimed to alleviate personal stress and pressure at work.
Scottish Ballet will deliver a series of six workshops to health and social care staff in Scotland, launching a national Focus on Wellbeing programme for the health workforce.
CEO/artistic director of Scottish Ballet, Christopher Hampson, said: “The importance of connecting with our communities continues to drive the work that we do, as we share our passion and the positive benefits of dance to all.
“We are committed to using our skills and expertise to deliver dance and movement to our communities.”
Health at Hand was designed by Scottish Ballet, in partnership with NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government, as preventative sessions to build resilience and enhance wellbeing.
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Scottish Government’s Mental Health Minister, Clare Haughey, explained: ‘We are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of health and social care staff and have taken immediate action to provide support while they respond to the pandemic.
“We are also working to build a sustainable culture that will continue to prioritise staff wellbeing in the future.
“That is why we supported Scottish Ballet to deliver a Focus on Wellbeing programme for our health and social care workforce, and unpaid carers.
“Their Restore sessions programme will offer a creative outlet to help alleviate stress and are a great way for people to learn how dance techniques can enhance personal wellbeing."
Health at Hands was initially launched in 2020 as a series of movement and breath videos in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, as a means of addressing the physical and mental stress of those working in the NHS and social care services.
The programme consisted of three 10-minute videos titled Energise, Rejuvenate, Relaxation – intended for the start, middle, and end of shifts - and a longer 20-minute Restore session for staff experiencing trauma stressful situations at work.
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Health at Hand won the 2020 Achates Philanthropy Prize for Scotland following its success and the resources are now freely available on the Scottish Ballet website.
Director of engagement at Scottish Ballet, Catherine Cassidy, said: “We are delighted to have developed such a creative and collaborative relationship with the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate, Health Boards, and Health and Social Care Partnerships and we are proud to support staff wherever they work at this critical time.”
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