Film, music and art stars inspire health in Rochdale

Rosie Marcus, Ruth Yasmin, Simon DeCourcey, Julian Jefferson and Leon Hollinrake

An international hip hop star and a BAFTA-nominated film company joined art consultants, a theatre company, schools and charities this month for Rochdale Youth Service’s ‘Inspiring Health’ conference - a day of discussions and performances that looked at how art can benefit young people’s health and wellbeing.

Held at Number One Riverside in Rochdale, the event included health and art stalls for young people, creative workshops, a visual exhibition and presentations outlining how art can be used to positively affect lives.

The evening finished with performances from local band The Social Leftover and Manchester-based hip hop artist RIO, who has recently toured with Labrynth and has opened concerts for U.S. rap stars Nas, Busta Rhymes, Method Man and Redman.

The event was hosted by Norman Warwick from All Across the Arts and Iqra Ali from Rochdale’s Youth Cabinet, and also featured a discussion panel that explored the connection between art and health.

Charities 42nd Street and Lime Arts shared their experiences of using arts to support young people with both physical and mental illnesses, while M6 Theatre Company presented a monologue about bullying. Young people from Rochdale’s Youth Cabinet shared a film they had made with FixersUK about mental health and First Light Films shared their BAFTA nominated film Three Brothers to an audience of young people and professionals.

Other contributors included Falinge Park High and Cardinal Langley RC High Schools, which showcased live drama performances demonstrating how creative activities can be incorporated into different parts of young people’s learning to improve wellbeing and healthy lifestyles.

Also attending the event was Wendy Meston, Director of Public Health at Rochdale Borough Council and Sandra Bowness, Assistant Director, Early Help and Schools, who said: “Creativity plays a vital role in young people being able to develop and maintain a healthy mind-set, which is why we were so pleased to be able to host this event. We heard from some amazing professionals and volunteers who are working with art and young people in some really innovative ways as both a therapy and an outlet for expression. It was genuinely inspiring day and I’d like to convey my thanks to everyone involved.”

Present on the discussion panel was arts consultant Rosie Marcus, former Member of Youth Parliament Leon Hollinrake, Ruth Yasmeen, director of Rochdale’s First Light Film company, Julian Jefferson head of arts and heritage in the borough and Simon DeCourcey, Director of Can’t Dance Can, a company that engages people of all ages in education, community and health through dance.