Laura Hodgson
I am Head of Public Health for Public Mental Health at Leeds City Council and I sit on the LAHWN Management Committee. My team leads on work to promote wellbeing and prevent poor mental health across the population of Leeds. I am passionate about the arts and the important role creativity plays in the prevention of ill health and the promotion of good health. Prior to working in the Leeds City Council, I have worked in the Department of Health with a focus on Public Mental Health and in the Wakefield Public Health Team.
Hannah Farley
I work for Leeds City Council in the Policy and Projects team, part of Culture Programmes. My background is in community and education arts practice, with experience of arts and health work in Ghana. I have been part of LAHWN since its inception when I worked in an arts and wellbeing role for Leeds Libraries, and I have been on the Management Committee since 2019. Managing a long-term health condition enables me to contribute my lived experience and passion for creativity and health to the Network.
Fran Coard
My role is Creative Development Manager at Leeds Arts Health and Wellbeing Network. I have worked in the third sector for over 20 years, my early career was in front line mental health support.
I have worked in a range of leadership roles since 2010, leading the development of contacts for people with mental health and diverse needs including embedding creative approaches in services. I am passionate about co-production, lived experience inclusion, volunteering and the role that arts and creativity play in supporting wellbeing.
f.s.coard@leeds.ac.uk
Fe
Hi there. I’m Fe and I’m a part of the management group.
I’m a freelance art creative and art activator. I love being a part of LAHWN, because it aligns with my great love of using our natural, human creativity to help people with their health and wellbeing. Also having the opportunity to connect and collaborate with organisations and individual artists from across the city and further afield. Great things happen, when like minded people come together!
I have experience in performing arts, the arts, fitness and holistic health. Writing, creative writing, poetry, filmmaking, photography, presenting and interviewing. I utilise and incorporate everything I have learnt over the years, in any work I do to facilitate art-related healing. It’s a great way to make use of all the valuable skills I have acquired and the results are very rewarding.
The possibilities of getting well through art and creativity are endless. It just requires people to be open to the possibilities, take the first step and let the journey take them where it may. Plus have some fun on the way 😉
Erica Ramsay
I work in the Cultural Institute at the University of Leeds and sit on the LAHWN Management Committee. The Cultural Institute has been involved in LAHWN since its launch in 2019. We host LAHWN, which means we employ Fran, and provide resources to help the Network to run smoothly. I also help to connect LAHWN to the research community active in this space, and am interested in how universities can add value to LAHWN’s mission.
Dr Liz Stirling
I am a founder member of the Art Doctors. The Art Doctors playfully break down barriers to participation in art and culture, and explore the positive role of creativity in all our lives and wellbeing. I am also a Senior Lecturer in Art and Design at Leeds Beckett University specialising in participatory art practices, collage and ecology and a playful approach to teaching and learning.
Carmel Langstaff
I am the Chief Officer, Transformation and Innovation for the Adults and Health Directorate at Leeds City Council. I lead on key improvement programmes across adult social care to improve efficiency and effectiveness and drive innovation. I am passionate about community power and lead the Council’s ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) programme which puts people at the heart of decision making. Prior to working in transformation, I worked in strategy, policy and partnership roles at Lewisham Council and have a background in culture, managing a local authority arts service as well as venues and festivals.