hoot creative arts has welcomed Sharleen Shaha into the team as health and wellbeing co-ordinator and producer for Kirklees Year of Music 2023 (KYOM23).
hoot is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and in 2020 were appointed as the health and wellbeing lead for Kirklees Year of Music 2023 – a unique, place-based, cultural change year-long programme of major events and durational initiatives, which will strengthen the music ecology of Kirklees from its roots.
The recent appointment will initiate and bring together the production of music events and wellbeing activities for KYOM23.
Sharleen will focus on developing activities and events with the aim of improving the health and wellbeing of those across the region who take part through engagement with music.
Collaborating with stakeholders in the health and care sector and practising musicians and cultural organisations, Sharleen will be developing a working programme, securing funding and liaising with the KYOM23 team to strategically link all the strands together, such as the community and educational work and celebrate innovative practice in the Kirklees.
Sharleen is a qualified Independent mental capacity advocate and independent mental health advocate. She has worked in mental health for 12 years across South and West Yorkshire, with experience in mental health and art therapy, research and project management as well as producing events for festivals.
Commenting on her new appointment, Sharleen said: “Mental health and wellbeing are very important to me so working with the people of Kirklees to promote music as a tool for wellbeing is very exciting.
“I am an advocate for choice and working-class storytelling. I feel that theatre, music, and the arts can be used as a tool to make changes for individuals and communities.”
Find out more about Sharleen and other members of the KYOM23 team here: https://www.musicinkirklees.co.uk/our-team/
