Free programmes of singing, reading and drama for new mums, babies and toddlers will now be available in several CHP buildings across Liverpool, starting in Knowsley.
Weekly sessions start this month at Blue Bell Lane Health Centre in Huyton, St Chads Health Centre in Kirkby and The Halewood Centre in Halewood.
A series of free arts programme for new mums in Knowsley will launch later this month, offering weekly arts, reading and drama sessions to help support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of new mothers and mums-to-be.
Starting from Friday 22nd September, the new 10-week arts programmes are open to all new mums with babies or toddlers under 2 years old, and those who are pregnant, and will include:
Dramatic Recovery
A weekly drama club for new mums and mums-to-be. Sessions will be weekly and will allow a space for discussion, writing and theatre all around themes of community and perinatal support. Everyone is welcome and no previous arts or drama experience is needed.
Sessions will Dramatic take place at Blue Bell Lane Health Centre, L36 7XY on Fridays from 10am to 12pm.
Reading Folk by Creative Spaces Co.
A weekly book club for new mums and mums-to-be Reading Folk takes place over ten weeks, creating a space for new mums to read for pleasure and enjoy some grown-up company. Each week there’ll be a relaxed discussion about the book with space for little ones to play. The sessions also includes a book and biscuits.
Reading Folk takes place at St Chads Centre, L32 8RE on Fridays from 1pm to 3pm.
Singing Mamas
A weekly singing group for new mums and mums-to-be. The group meet weekly to learn and sing short, simple songs ranging from lullabies to songs that support and empower mums. The group offers mums a space to let it all out and an escape from the stresses of life. No previous singing experience is necessary, and all voices welcome.
Singing Mamas takes place at The Halewood Centre, L26 9UH on Fridays from 10am to 11.30am.
The new groups are the first in a 30-week programme of events aimed at using the creative arts to support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of perinatal mothers in Knowsley, allowing mums to build up new social connections with other new mums, and providing them with access to other health support and advice.
The programmes are being delivered by ‘arts for health’ organisations Creative Spaces Co., Dramatic Recovery and Singing Mamas, with the free programme made possible through partnership and funding from One Knowsley, Arts Council England, healthcare investor Renova, Community Health Partnerships (a key part of the NHS family) and Improving Me (a partnership of 27 NHS organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside).
We are thrilled to be a part of this project aimed at supporting the mental health and well-being of new mums in Knowsley. At Community Health Partnerships, we believe in the power of community initiatives like these to make a positive impact. Providing the necessary space and support for these programs aligns perfectly with our Buildings At The Heart of the Community initiative and our commitment to community health and wellbeing.
The creative arts can play such an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of local communities, so we’re delighted to help fund these fantastic new arts programmes and to welcome new mums and their babies and toddlers to our health centres.
This programme is a model of excellence and a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration. The mobilisation of the partnership, development, and capacity building of the voluntary and community organisations by One Knowsley has resulted in investment into our arts-based community and voluntary groups. Thank you to all our partners and the investment support received to unlock creativity, wellbeing and enable connected resilient communities.
Find out more Buildings at the Heart of the Community
CHP’s Buildings at the Heart of the Community initiative aims to encourage local community groups and charities to make the most of our buildings by enabling the use of space in our centres to host health and wellbeing related events.
