Regional Learning Network Highlights
4th Jun 10
On Friday 28th May, I attended the Fourth Regional Learning Network Event at St. Mary’s Church, Sheffield. The network is devoted to a dialogue between those service users classified as having a ‘personality disorder’, and the statutory services with the aim of creating more appropriate and capable services in this area of mental health. Their mission statement sums up this approach as follows:
“To enable all involved to share new experiences and learn from each other, regardless of roles. To explore and develop ‘identity’ and embrace the future with optimism and hope.”
Click here for feedback from the event
4th Yorkshire & Humber Regional Learning Network from Kayla Kavanagh on Vimeo.
Whilst I’ve never felt comfortable with the notion of ‘personality disorders’ as a diagnostic concept, the event itself was a fine showcase for utilising creative and holistic approaches to help people reach an emotionally safe place, hence the title of the event being “What Makes Me Well”.
The event was a mixture of pre-booked creative workshops and keynote speakers/performances. Of the latter, Kathryn Smith, a Consultant Occupational Therapist, delivered a stimulating and well pitched talk on sensory integration in relation to personality disorders. Kathryn managed to convey successfully a potentially complex subject in layperson’s terms. Claire Shaw showcased her poetry, sourced from her own travails, and highlighted the fact that often “the personal is the political.” After a hearty buffet at lunchtime, singer/songwriter Kayla Kavanagh treated us to a short musical set. Kayla’s ethereal and haunting voice proved a fine way of soothingly aiding the digestion of lunch! Her lyrics were moving and highly personal, relating the highs and lows of a passionate life.
Each person attending the event was able to sign up to two workshops from a schedule containing options based on creative personalities, alternative therapies, experiential drumming, drama and media orientated approaches to maintaining wellbeing. I attended the drumming workshop facilitated by Paul Butler. His sense of fun and enthusiasm transmitted to all in his session, and the cathartic effect of pounding African hand drums left the palms of my hands black and blue for a few days. I certainly took on the persona of an artist suffering for their art! Alas I had to leave the event slightly early and so I cannot comment on the wrapping up of the event, but I had a great day!
Writing about this five days later I feel privileged to have been to the event. The idea of using creativity to maintain wellbeing transcends personality disorders or other mental health labels. The vast majority of people need expressive outlets to achieve some form of emotional equilibrium. One other feature of the day that impressed me was the blurring of ‘professionals’ and service users. This concept of equality is essential for mental health services to advance positively.
Written by the Service User and Chair from 'Your Voice' in Sheffield.
Artwork by Julie Bagwash
More highlights, photographs and information to follow.
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