Re-energise, inspire, create...what could rhythm do for you?

Art Beat specialises in offering interactive rhythm events for staff in public service and voluntary sector organisations, particularly in fields of health, education, and community development, because that's where we work the rest of the time!

Increasingly, organisations are recognising the benefits, not just for service users, but also for the staff teams that serve them. Group drumming offers an accessible experience which integrates mind, and body,  individual expression, and group interaction. 


Experiential Learning
No previous experience is necessary - participants will be enabled to progress step by step from (possibly) reluctant beginners, to competent contributors. Rather than simply 'learn to drum', or 'have a go'; participants are encouraged to draw on their own innate resources; overcome any fears of 'doing it wrong'; and listen deeply to each other in order to create increasingly complex and satisfying music together.

This approach offers a high-quality, meaningful experience which is particularly suited towards examining wider issues of:

• engaging creativity
• approaching the new
• coping with change
• communication
• interpersonal and group relationships

Using experience gained from being a university-level educator, and knowledge derived from PhD study, Jane can facilitate dialogue which opens up key aspects of these areas, related directly to the experience of drumming together, whilst making the real-world connections explicit. 


Conference re-energising

Stumped by the 'after-lunch-slump'? 

Art Beat helps your delegates find their groove again by offering a unique, joyful, co-operative activity to restore group energy and focus. Using a variety of drums and percussion (or even 'Boomwhackers' - brightly coloured musical tubes especially suited to large numbers and quick set-ups), delegates are rapidly engaged in creating their own rhythmic music in an event that will be remembered for a long time!

Depending on location and requirements, musical support can also be offered by members of 'The Buddy Beat' - a community drumming group established to aid the recovery journeys of mental health service users. Here's a video of their contribution to a recent NHS conference on socially inclusive occupational therapy (a whole-conference 'Boomwhacker' session appears towards the end):

Staff wellbeing

Finally, Art Beat offers rhythmic activities intended to foster staff integration and wellbeing. Especially suited towards smaller groups, these sessions focus on the relational, relaxing, and cathartic properties of drumming, offering a safe yet exploratory environment for staff to enjoy shared activity and experience each other beyond their professional roles.

A recent study (cited below)  into the use of recreational drumming with nursing students found statistically significant reductions of multiple burnout and mood dimensions: a digested version of a similar study can also be found in the BBC News article, 'Drumming up a happier workplace' : news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3507109.stm


Contact Art Beat to see what we can tailor to your needs....

Clients include:

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: conference energisers for Renfrewshire Primary Care Trust, and Community Mental Health Team awaydays.

Creating Capacity: Socially inclusive occupational therapy. National conference. Energiser and workshop.

Strathclyde University: series of staff wellbeing workshops.

South Lanarkshire Children's Services: team-building workshop for staff development day.

St. Mary's RC primary school, Clapham. Workshop examining creativity for staff conference.

Scottish Interfaith Council. Workshops exploring unity in diversity for several national events.

Methodist Church in Scotland: workshop for national clergy conference.


References:

Bittman, Barry B. MD; Snyder, Cherie MSS, MA; Bruhn, Karl T.; Liebfreid, Fran BSN, M.ED, RN; Stevens, Christine K. MSW, MT-BC; Westengard, James BS; and Umbach, Paul O. MA (2004) "Recreational Music-making: An Integrative Group Intervention for Reducing Burnout and Improving Mood States in First Year Associate Degree Nursing Students: Insights and Economic Impact," International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1, Article 12.
Available at: www.bepress.com/ijnes/vol1/iss1/art12