In this commissioned episode of Creative Health Stories, host Laura Bailey explores an innovative initiative that brings professional dance and movement training into early years education. Early Moves is a partnership programme from Rambert Dance Company, Rambert Grades, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) which trains nursery practitioners to embed creative movement into daily practice. Designed to support children from 0–5 years, this pioneering project uses dance to enhance physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, contributing to school readiness and workforce wellbeing at scale.

Early Moves has been made possible through support from Arts Council England's National Lottery funded Place Partnership Fund, with additional support from the Granada Foundation and GMCA.

Movement as Development: Early movement isn’t just physical play — it’s tied to brain development, communication, balance, emotional regulation, and self-expression.

Empowering Practitioners: Nursery practitioners with little or no dance experience are trained to lead creative movement sessions confidently, enhancing their professional skills, wellbeing, and job satisfaction.

Real-world Impact: Practitioners share stories about boosts in children’s confidence, listening skills, social interaction, language development, and engagement, especially for those who are shy or have additional needs.

Strategic Partnership: Greater Manchester’s early years leaders invested in the programme to tackle low school readiness rates, particularly in more deprived areas, through a creative and holistic approach.

Daniel Fulvio, Director of Community Partnerships, Rambert

Hannah Kidd, Head of Education & Examinations, Rambert Grades

Chloe Senior, Early Years Dance Specialist

Anna Daley and Anne O’Connor, Evaluators, Primed for Life

Miriam Loxham, Senior Principal for Early Years and Faily Help, Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Julie McCarthy, Strategic Lead for Creative Health, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and NHS Greater Manchester

Early Years Practitioners: Pamela (Dream Big Little One), Sharon (St. Vincent’s), Holly (Safari Kindergarten), Tiffany (Clayton Tiddlywinks), Niamh (Buttercup Corner).

Rambert Dance Company

Website https://rambert.org.uk/

Instagram: @rambertdance

Rambert Grades

Website: https://www.rambertgrades.com/

Instagram: @rambertgrades

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Website: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk

Instagram: @greatermcr

Arts Council England

https://www.artscouncil.org.uk

Instagram: @aceagrams

Granada Foundation

Website: https://granadafoundation.org/

Image by Jack Thomson @j_a_c_k__t_h_o_m_s_o_n

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This episode of Creative Health Stories is a little different. Host Laura Bailey takes the podcast outdoors to the Whitstable seafront for a conversation with artist Liz Atkin.

Liz shares her lived experience of dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking disorder) and how charcoal drawing became both a recovery tool and a powerful creative practice. Together they explore how creativity can transform personal health and support others in clinical and community settings.

It’s a candid and inspiring conversation about vulnerability, play, and the therapeutic potential of creativity.

Key Points:

• Liz’s journey from theatre and dance to charcoal drawing.
• Using creativity to refocus compulsion and anxiety.
• The role of play and flow in improving wellbeing.
• Workshops with NHS staff and the importance of creative breaks.
• How creative health programmes face challenges in the current NHS context.

Links:

• Liz Atkin: lizatkin.com
• Breathe Arts Health Research: breatheahr.org
• Horsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable: horsebridge.org.uk

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In this conversation, Laura and Kate Valentine explore the transformative power of singing for mothers through the Singing Mamas programme. Kate shares her journey from nursing to leading community singing sessions, emphasising the emotional and mental health benefits of singing. They discuss the integration of creative health into the NHS, the challenges of funding, and the importance of community support. The conversation highlights how singing can foster connection, healing, and confidence among mothers, ultimately advocating for a shift in how health professionals view and utilise creative practices in healthcare.

Takeaways:

Singing together creates a sense of community and belonging.

The act of singing can significantly improve mental health.

Mothers often struggle with mental health, and singing provides support.

Creative health initiatives can be integrated into the NHS.

Funding for community singing programs is often inconsistent.

Singing helps build confidence in one's voice and expression.

Community leaders play a crucial role in promoting wellbeing.

Singing can be a powerful tool for emotional processing.

The benefits of singing extend beyond the individual to the community.

Creative practices are essential for the resilience of health professionals.

Links:

Singing Mamas CIC

Socials:

Singing_Mamas_Org

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