A Swansea-based pharmacist and university lecturer who spends his spare time touring the country as a professional dancer is sharing his skill and passion with colleagues as part of an Arts Council of Wales initiative to improve health and care staff’s wellbeing.
Zi Hong Mok, who has 12 years' experience dancing around the UK – including at the National Theatre in London – is contributing four videos to the Cultural Cwtsh creative wellbeing site through which he will encourage NHS and social care staff in Wales to explore some new dance moves.
The website aims to support the wellbeing of Wales’ health and care workers by encouraging them to take some time out, unlock their creativity and find solace, relaxation or just fun through the arts.
“The pace at hospitals has been unrelenting,” he said. “Chronic understaffing and an increasing workload have caused our healthcare staff to face significant pressures that have impacted our health and wellbeing.”
“I have been fortunate to have found dance as a passion that I can pursue whole-heartedly in Wales. Through shared experiences in my digital dance pieces, I hope to encourage healthcare workers to make the best of the little time they have, to work on their passion and hobbies.”
Mok’s work will join more than 50 unique creative offerings now in place for artists on the Cultural Cwtsh – a bilingual creative wellbeing site for NHS and social care staff that is free to access. The Arts Council of Wales recently commissioned a further 18 unique pieces for the site, including his dance videos.
The Cultural Cwtsh was launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, endorsed by Health Education Improvement Wales, with the aim of using the arts’ restorative powers to boost caregivers’ wellbeing, unlock their creativity or just help them switch off from daily stresses.
“Evidence shows us that the arts have a remarkable ability to lift our spirits and support our wellbeing,” said Sally Lewis, Arts and Health Programme Manager for the Arts Council of Wales.
“We are constantly amazed by the range and originality of the ideas that artists are developing for health and care workers across Wales to enjoy. The Cultural Cwtsh stands as a sanctuary of creativity, offering respite, inspiration, and a way to spend some well-earned time out from the challenges NHS and social care staff face daily.
“With each new artistic contribution for the website, Wales’ arts sector is sending a resounding message of appreciation and care to our remarkable health and social care workers. “It’s an important reminder of the transformative power of the arts to provide fresh perspectives, connect us with others and spread joy.”
The artists commissioned from the latest round of submissions include:
- Abi Makepeace - An introduction to fun and accessible botanical colouring techniques
- Chris Elliot – A creative journey of discovery through woodlands – is this sculpture?
- Efa Blosse-Mason and Mali Haf – A Welsh language guided meditation collaboration between singer-song writer Mali Haf and illustrator Efa Blosse-Mason
- Eric Ngalle - A collection of five short, inspirational stories.
- Gilly Booth - 'The Seaweed Project'
- Hannah Barnes – Simple singing techniques to engage and inspire
- Laura Thomas - Weaving on objects found at the South Wales coast
- Lucy Dickson – Learn three different pottery making techniques
- Marian Haf Nixon - How to make a relief collagraph – a form of printmaking – using packaging and spoons
- Nevanka Abril Trias Ludzik – Poi Making and Poi Juggling
- Nigel Crowle – Creative writing tips shared while on a dog walk
- Pauline Down – Discover the joy of singing
- Sara Hartel – A video that guides NHS and care staff through transforming their daily routine into a personalised alternative reality game that elevates mundane tasks.
- Shakeera Ahmun – A gentle movement series to release tension held in the body
- Stephanie Roberts – A ‘slow’ guide to a selection of great paintings by famous Welsh artists in Welsh
- Toby Hay - Improvised music in outdoor locations across the Cambrian Mountains
- Vertical Dance - Kate Lawrence – Three short aerial dance films to watch and wonder at
- Zi Hong Mok – Four dance videos, each pairing with a different professional dancer
The Cultural Cwtsh is an Arts Council of Wales resource, created with artists based across Wales. It is made possible with funding support from the Welsh Government.
All available Cultural Cwtsh content can be found here – http://culturalcwtsh.wales
For more information, or for interview opportunities, contact the Cultural Cwtsh team at culturalcwtsh@arts.wales
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Notes to editors:
About Arts Council of Wales
The Arts Council of Wales is the country’s official public body for funding and developing the arts. Every day, people across Wales are enjoying and taking part in the arts. We help to support and grow this activity. We do this by using the public funds that are made available to us by the Welsh Government and by distributing the money we receive as a good cause from the National Lottery. By managing and investing these funds in creative activity, the Arts Council contributes to people’s quality of life and to the cultural, social and economic wellbeing of Wales.