MONDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER, 2016

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Take THAT arts programme opportunity in Dundee

People living with arthritis or joint conditions are being encouraged to attend a visual arts programme in Dundee.

A limited number of places are still available for the Take THAT art programme, which is open to

18-30 year-olds. The project provides opportunities for people with joint conditions to meet others and participate in a 10-week creative arts programme.

The programme will be delivered by THAT’s lead artist Jude Gove and Duncan of Jordanstone graduate Jay O’Reilly, who was diagnosed with arthritis as a child and has been appointed to support the project.

Jude said, “THAT will be using its experience of working with people with stroke, MS, Parkinson’s and chronic pain to start a new peer support group of young adults with arthritis, which will promote the value of creative engagement to the long term management of their condition.”

Jay added, “I’ve volunteered with Arthritis Care Scotland since my early 20’s and have tried to use my skills and knowledge in art, along with my experience of living with arthritis to help other young people with the condition to live well. Take THAT is a wonderful opportunity to use art to explore the condition, its symptoms and develop ways to cope and self-manage.”

A taster session will be held on Monday, 26 September from 6.30 - 8pm in WASPS Studios, Meadow Mill in Dundee. This will be followed by an eight-week print and design arts programme from Monday, 3 October to Monday, 28 November.

Take THAT is a new collaboration between Arthritis Care Scotland and Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust (THAT), with funding received from Dundee Reshaping Care small grants fund.

THAT promotes the therapeutic value of arts-based programmes to enhance quality of life, to promote social inclusion and to empower the individual to make an important contribution to their health and

wellbeing.

For more information or to register to participate, please contact Karine Neill, THAT development officer, on 01382 835509 or kneill@nhs.net

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134