In this rich and energising conversation, host Laura Bailey speaks with Tony Cealy, an acclaimed theatre practitioner and cultural producer, about the transformative power of drama, improvisation, and play in community and justice settings. Tony shares how he moved from an initial career in accountancy to working with some of society’s most marginalized groups through creative and participatory theatre.

We explore how Tony uses forum theatre, psychodrama, and improvisation to promote behavioural change, community empowerment, and policy advocacy. From working in prisons to shaping health systems, Tony's work challenges injustice, champions unheard voices, and inspires change from the ground up.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing Creative Health Stories — it really helps others discover the podcast.

Links:

Tony Cealy’s website

Theatre of the Oppressed

Cardboard Citizens

Socials:

@tonycealy

Tony's LinkedIn

@creativehealthstories

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Hopewell is a lifelong advocate for social justice and community empowerment, whose work spans international public art, grassroots activism, and pioneering community-led health models that integrate creative health.

In this episode we have a rich conversation about Dan's life, work, and philosophy around community, creativity, and health. He discusses his early belief in social justice and activism and the 15 years he spent in Nicaragua developing community-based public art, which led to education reform and built a legacy that continues today. Upon returning to the UK, Dan joined Bromley by Bow Centre, where he contributed to the development of its arts and community programs. He talks through the Centre’s evolution from a dilapidated church into a pioneering, thriving community hub reversing traditional top-down approaches, integrating arts, employment, and social support services.

Dan helped shape the UK's social prescribing model, aiming to address the root causes of health issues through holistic, community-based support. We discuss its successes and challenges, along with the state of the NHS.

Links

Bromley by Bow Centre

Social Prescribing Network

Socials

@bromley_by_bow_centre

BbB LinkedIn

@creativehealthstories

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The third and final episode of a mini series of audio stories I've been creating as part of a Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant from Arts Council England is about the health and wellbeing benefits of singing.

I spent time with 3 different community singing groups, capturing their singing sessions and interviewing participants about how it makes them feel and what benefits it brings to their lives.

Monday Music was set up by Grenville Hancox to promote the benefits of singing for general well-being. Its 65 or so members are mainly residents of Folkestone and its surrounding areas who meet once a week, during term time, to sing together. Grenville describes the sessions as a physical, mental and spiritual workout!

Canterbury Skylarks is the founding Sing to Beat Parkinson's group and part of the Canterbury Cantata Trust which supports a network of singing groups for people with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. The programme’s origins are rooted in the work of the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health (SDH centre) and since 2018, more than three hundred practitioners have participated in Sing to Beat Parkinson’s training programmes.

Singing Mamas is a grassroots movement of women committed to improving wellbeing through singing. It was set up by nurse Kate Valentine to help manage stress, find connection and joy. There are Singing Mamas groups all over the country supporting women through pregnancy and motherhood, and with symptoms of postnatal depression.

This story isn't about new scientific evidence, it re-confirms and celebrates how singing creates community, a sense of belonging and identity along with supporting mental health, other neurological conditions and a range of physical health conditions.

If you'd like to commission an audio story about your work, organisation or group. Please get in touch.

Links:

Monday Music

Sing to Beat Parkinson's

Canterbury Cantata Trust

Singing Mamas

Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health

Socials:

@singing_mamas_org

@singtobeatparkinsons

@kate_valentine_singing_mamas

@creativehealthstories

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.