LAHF is currently finalising its next seasons of events to run from December 2008, to March 2009.

These two seasons will look at arts and health for children and young people and arts, the environment and sustainability.Details of events featuring in these seasons will be included in the next newsletter.

If you have a project or idea that you would like showcased in either of these seasons or would like to make suggestions for future seasons of LAHF events, please contact Damian@lahf.org.uk

As reported in last month's newsletter, Alan Johnson gave a very positive speech to the Museums Libraries and Archives Association about the role of the arts in health.

A full transcript of the speech can be viewed on the LAHF website. w: www.lahf.org.uk

Arts Council England has announced its three year plan 2008-2011 and, despite commitments made by the Arts Council in its 2007 arts in health strategy, arts in health has not been included as a strategic priority.

Over the past five months, LAHF has been in correspondence with the Arts Council's new Chief Executive Alan Davey arguing the case for continued support for the arts in health sector. We will continue to maintain this dialogue and will report future developments via our newsletter.

For the next three months, Croydon Clocktower is playing host to Frames of Mind, a showcase of artworks collected by Bethlem Royal Hospital, since the 1850s as well as contemporary art works created by artists supported by the Bethlem Gallery.

The exhibition explores the development and benefits of art therapy in the treatment of mental illness including paintings and sketches by Richard Dadd and Louis Wain.

w: www.croydonclocktower.org.uk

Arts and health organisation Community Touch has received funding from Camden PCT to provide weekly arts (drama, movement, music and art) and horticulture therapeutic activities on prescription.

The project aims to reduce health inequalities in the Kentish Town and Gospel Oak areas and can be accessed by anyone through their GP, social services, and community centres or by self referral. The project, Creative Health Lab, is designed to encourage participants to take an exploratory, creative and more engaged approach to their own healthcare.

Gaze Countergaze is an exploration of the opposing viewpoints of psychiatric patients and doctors in an exhibition of two collections of photographs: the All Saints Series and the Saint Ebba's Series.

Featuring the work of artist Errol Francis the exhibitions at the Institute of Psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital, look at the relationship between photography and psychiatric patients.

Personality Plus is a new initiative designed to explore and promote creativity and a diagnosis of Personality Disorder.

On 18th November, Tate Modern will host an afternoon of artist talks, workshops and debates exploring the ways in which creativity is helping recovery from PD, and how prevention is possible through creativity.

For further information and booking forms visit
w: www.personalityplus.org.uk

Alder Hey in Liverpool is playing host to a national conference looking at how to develop children and young people's arts in health programming.

The conference will include a focus on ‘Cultural Champions' (leading arts organisations on Merseyside) and the Artists' in Residence programme at Alder Hey.

The event takes place on 19^th November and attendance costs £35. e: Gill.Kennedy@alderhey.nhs.uk

Leaders of Tomorrow is a free five day programme developed for managers and trustees in community organisations funded by the Office of the Third Sector.

The course involves five day-long sessions over a 6 month period designed to develop leadership skills and increase understanding of organisational challenges and how to manage change.

The programme is being organised by IVAR, the Institute for Voluntary Action Research.

For more details, visit: www.bassac.org.uk

On Sunday 9^th November, The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester is running a day-long practical taster workshop of its work presenting live music at the bedside.

The cost is £95. For more details, e: jill.barlow@rncm.ac.uk