Hoot - Invitation, Expression, Interaction, Challenge, Growth

Below are some examples of other projects we are currently running or have delivered recently.

Breathing space

A pilot project offering creative activities for people over 65 living with a mental health condition or a dementia condition. Contact Hoot for a Breathing Space referral form and more details.

Creative Development Programme

An arts council funded project building Hoot's artistic core with an in-house training programme for experienced and developing artists. The project has explored the application of cross art forms (from music, dance, visual and digital arts) in a mental health setting...

The Big Weave

The artists on the Creative Development programme devised 3 strands of cross art form activity for more experienced Hoot participants to develop skills they have been building in other Hoot open access groups.

The Big Weave Showcase was created from participants' personal journeys, woven into a many-textured performance combining music, dance, digital and visual arts.

IN THE RAW

A project set up by Hoot to deliver a range of music, dance and other creative activities in the Rawthorpe and Dalton area in order to improve health, wellbeing, social contact and opportunities for creative expression. The group, now called 'Raw Talent', is becoming self-managing after running with Hoot for 18 months. Hoot continues to support the project by having a place on the management committee. (Aug 2009)

Raw Talent

Drumming, singing and music making, creative writing and photography on the Netherhall Learning Campus, Rawthorpe.

Thursday mornings 10-12, Community Rooms, Netherhall Learning Campus, Nether Hall Avenue, Rawthorpe, Huddersfield HD5 9PG

For more information about Raw Talent contact Stacey Williams at the Netherhall Learning Campus 01484 221892

Newton Lodge, Gaskell Ward

(female ward, medium secure forensic unit, Wakefield)

6 weekly music sessions in the evenings, August to September 2007

Andy Spearpoint, armed with portable recording facilities, brought a load of percussion, acoustic and electronic instruments to check out the interests, skills and temptations of the participants...

There was a great guitarist, a budding kit drummer, a fair few keen vocalists, someone tempted to have a go on keyboards, another who wanted to watch, and no-one who would call themselves a musician.

In between fag breaks and breaks of nerve, responding to what people wanted, what worked and what occurred spontaneously led to the composition and recording of a group song of which all members are very proud.

The outstanding feature of this group was how they worked together and how members supported each other over thresholds outside of their safety zones.

And the one who wanted to watch? Week 5 found her doing a solo vocal performance of her favourite c&w "toon", also featured on the finished CD all participants got to keep – nee hah!

Sahara Asian Women's Group

(Weekly group run by the "Targeting your Needs" Mental Health Trust outreach programme in Wakefield)

12 weekly sessions, Moving for Health

Sessions stimulated reminiscence of songs and movement from their younger days, with women spontaneously performing and copying each other. Movement practitioner Louise Warner used the 'art' to make the connections and the 'finished product' was about group bonding, and the women talking more intimately in the group than ever before. Group organiser, Koser Begum, said "these sessions have taken the group to a new level – it's very exciting", with the group finally ready to commit to a constitution and taking aspects of their moving selves into their everyday lives. And if you turn up to a Sahara session these days, expect members of the group to take the lead in persuading you onto the floor in the break for some healthy moves to bhangra beats.