Arts and Health activity is well established in Britain. There are a large number of community and hospital based arts programmes, arts on prescription schemes and medical humanities courses. Arts Therapists practice across the field as well as artists experienced in working in a range of health settings. The arts-in-healthcare field embraces all artforms including visual, performing, literary and celebratory arts. In each setting, arts and health projects work in diverse ways with a wide range of people and the possibilities are vast and growing.

The South West is a large region with many organisations, projects and individuals working in the field of arts and health. The South West Arts and Health Forum has been established in order to bring these people together, to foster collaborations between the two sectors of health and the arts and to develop good practice, sharing ideas and information while raising the profile of the work and supporting the professional development of those working in the field.

The Forum will enable a sharper regional focus for this work, supporting the dissemination of ideas pertinent, appropriate and distinct to the region. It will seek to improve understanding and to encourage learning about projects, training and best practice across disciplines.

Aims and Objectives

The South West Arts and Health Forum will be a membership organisation and aims to support the Forum membership by:

� Providing regional support and networking opportunities for those working in the field.

� Encouraging networking opportunities and partnerships between health and arts professionals at a local and sub-regional level.

� Developing and disseminating good practice, providing an information resource for everyone interested in arts and health.

� Supporting the professional development of artists, health professionals and arts professionals.

� Raising the profile of Arts & Health across the region and nationally.

� Sign posting people to research and evaluation about the benefits and impact of the arts on health.

� Sharing news about events, projects and opportunities among artists, health professionals and arts professionals.

If you wish to register your interest in the South West Arts and Health Forum please send your name, name of organisation (if applicable), land address, email address, telephone number and general area of interest / activity to the address below and you will be sent information as it becomes available.

Alex Coulter (Chair)
SWAHF
C/o Dorset County Hospital
Williams Avenue
Dorset
DT1 2JY

The Missing Gene
(What is essential is invisible to the eye. Antoine de St Exupery)

Once the Earth was flat
And it was heresy
To think we orbited the sun

....................Now, complexities
....................of flesh and blood
....................present new conundrums

........................................You might choose
........................................To have the flawless child,
........................................Body perfect, immaculate design:

............................................................But no scientist
............................................................Can locate the gene
............................................................That carries an open mind.