Authenticity

2023 RENEW Arts Project : Celebrating Culture Diversity through the Arts for Staff Health and Wellbeing
“ I felt supported, I felt heard, I felt PROUD” participant testimony.

‘Love Letters’ arts and health project took place between October 2023 and February 2024. The project aimed to connect our health service community in a celebration of arts, culture and diversity with an invitation to create a song collaboratively through conversations with LGBTQAI+ staff members from all sectors of the Community Hospital Network West Cork.

Authenticity: was the name given to the song developed collaboratively through creative conversations led by artist singer songwriter, Liz Clark with LGBTQI+ Cork Kerry Community Healthcare staff. The collaborative process took place through a series of engagements: in person at Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre; one to one creative conversation with the artist and through a lively online chat group with the choir.

The completed song was performed by Liz Clark and LGBTQAI+ staff allies in the Coolnagarrane choir, Skibbereen and recorded for sharing. A live performance will take place on 4 March at Skibbereen Day Care Centre with Liz and the choir, during Creative Brain Week and during a special visit of Christopher Bailey, Arts and Health Lead (WHO) World Health Organisation.

The project was managed through the Arts for Health Partnership Programme, West Cork who lent their expertise in delivery and production of arts and health programmes in the Community Health Network Area.

Lead artist, Singer Songwriter Liz Clark and documented by filmmaker and visual artist Toma McCullim

Generously supported through 2023 RENEW Creative Ireland, Healthy Ireland, HSE, The Arts Council delivered by Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre in partnership with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare

www.artsforhealthwestcork.com