About being: an interdisciplinary and collaborative arts and health project supporting the ongoing recovery of stroke survivors

Arts and health initiatives can make a valuable contribution to the ongoing recovery of stroke survivors. This article focuses on a study of the About Being project, which provides dance and movement sessions for stroke survivors in the Cumbrian city of Carlisle, UK. The study evaluated the model of practice applied to the community project and how the sessions supported the ongoing recovery of stroke survivors. The methodology involved observations of the sessions and qualitative interviews. A unique feature of this project is that it brings together the fields of education, arts and health by engaging practitioners, academics and student volunteers, along with the stroke survivors who participate in the sessions. It is proposed that the success of the About Being project is attributed to its interdisciplinary and collaborative practice, person-centred approach and multidirectional learning environment, which is beneficial for all those involved.