25 February 2020
Arts + Health Weekender shines a light on Weston
Photo credit: Paul
Blakemore
The spotlight will shine on Weston-super-Mare this April in a
pioneering three-day event showcasing arts and health in the
community, co-produced by Culture Weston and the Arts and Culture
Programme of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.
The Weston Arts + Health Weekender (3 - 5 April) inaugural
festival celebrates wholeness and togetherness and marks two
significant events; the joining of two hospital Trusts to form
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
and the launch of Culture Weston, a new initiative that promotes
cultural and heritage-based activity as a vital part of the town's
life.
Richard Blows, Transformation Programme Manager, Corporate
Services, North Somerset Council said: "The Culture Weston
initiative is being supported by North Somerset Council and Arts
Council England and reflects their commitment to heritage, arts and
culture as a central element of the town's future identity, growth
and development."
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and Weston
Area Health NHS Trust join together as one organisation on 1st
April 2020, subject to regulatory approvals. The merger is an
exciting and unique opportunity to create a new organisation with a
greater purpose, which is seen as a beacon for outstanding
education, research, innovation and patient care.
The Weston Arts + Health Weekender will feature
a family friendly programme of participatory events and
professional performances alongside talks, creative workshops and
hospital-based arts activities that embrace culture in its widest
sense. Dance, theatre, art, music, poetry, storytelling, heritage,
food and sport combine to offer an uplifting weekend of
entertainment for everyone.
Anna Farthing, Arts Programme Director, University Hospitals
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The festival offers a great
opportunity to look back at Weston's history as a resort and
celebrate the new partnerships being made across the arts and
healthcare that can help people to look after themselves and each
other. We want to celebrate the excellent practice that already
exists, particularly in care of the elderly, and establish Weston
as a beacon for Arts and Health in the future. We hope everyone
will enjoy getting involved and that this will be the first of many
such events."
Fiona Matthews, Culture Weston Director, added:
"We are delighted to launch Culture Weston with such an important
and relevant event that recognises Weston's unique heritage and
showcases the people, places and activity that form the heartbeat
of the town. Through Culture Weston we look forward to working
closely with local people to develop ongoing activity and
opportunities, building a thriving future for Weston that has arts
and culture at its core."
The Weekender event features a host of free and
ticketed events in both indoor and outdoor places across the town,
including Weston General Hospital, Weston College Conference
Centre, the Grand Pier, Sovereign Centre, Italian Gardens, Weston
Museum, Grove Park, Blakehay Theatre, libraries and the beach.
For early booking and programme details about
the Weston Arts + Health Weekender, visit cultureweston.org.uk.
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