CoolTan Arts » Largactyl

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle: Fitness Walk

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:52:56 +0000

January 21st 12noon at Maudsley Hospital, walking to South London Gallery
Join CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle, a free guided cultural walk promoting mental health and physical wellbeing using art, humour and history to help de-stigmatise mental distress.

This month’s Fitness Walk begins outside the Maudsley Hospital at 12noon. Instead of the usual talks, each stop on the walk will feature a simple, fun, physical activity to help you gently warm up to wellbeing in the New Year. The walk will end at the South London Gallery, taking in some of Southwark’s green spaces where we will be skipping and running three-legged races. Bring your chalks and join us in a game of hopscotch!

The walk is fully accessible for all. Our friendly CoolTan guides will be there to help you. Please bring a packed lunch and drinks, wear suitable, warm clothes and sensible footwear.

Taking part is free for everyone, but voluntary donations will be much appreciated. If you wish to find out more about the walk call us on 020 7701 2696 or 0798 565 8443 on the day, or email: susan@cooltanarts.org.uk.

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Press release-Jingle bells walk

volunteer — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:43:11 +0000

CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity

PRESS RELEASE

CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle – Jingle Bells Walk

Date: Saturday 17^th December 2011

Starting: Tate Modern, Turbine Hall entrance SE1 9TG

Finishing: Maudsley Hospital

Times: 12noon – 4pm Cost: free/voluntary donation

Come and join us and make some festive noise!

We will be singing and playing our way through the streets of Southwark, bringing some merry cheer and light as the nights draw in. Your voice and instruments are very welcome!

Winter encompasses many festivals, past and present, and we will focus on their origins and symbolism: Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Saturnalia, the Winter Solstice, and the creation of modern Christmas. Learn about St Nicholas, the tradition of the Pantomime, the history of carollers – and much more!

Join CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle, a free guided cultural walk promoting mental health and physical wellbeing using art, humour and history to help de-stigmatise mental distress. The Jingle Bells Walk begins outside the Turbine Hall entrance to Tate Modern at 12noon. This festive five-mile walk will end at the Maudsley Hospital, taking in some of Southwark’s most famous historical landmarks.

Taking part is free for everyone, but voluntary donations will be much appreciated. If you wish to find out more about the walk call us on 020 7701 2696 or 0798 565 8443 on the day, or email: suzie@cooltanarts.org.uk.

The walk is fully accessible for all. Our friendly CoolTan guides will be there to help you. Please bring a packed lunch and drinks, wear suitable, warm clothes and sensible footwear.

We are proud to have as Patrons: Arthur Smith, Maggi Hambling, Sokari Douglas Camp, Ali Smith, Clare Allen and Rosemary Shrager

CoolTan Arts, Unit B 237 Walworth Rd London SE17 1RL T: 0207 701 2696 M: 0798 565 8443

W: www.cooltanarts.org.uk E: info@cooltanarts.org.uk

Registered charity number 1064231, Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales reg. 3244552

Notes to editors:

CoolTan Arts believes mental wellbeing is enhanced by the power of creativity. It is a pioneering arts and mental health charity run by and for people with mental distress and exists to inspire the wellbeing and creative participation of a diverse range of people through the production of quality arts. Reg. Charity Nr. 1064231

The Largactyl Shuffle is named after the oldest anti-psychotic drug Largactil that can have extreme physical side effects including a distinctive shambolic gait, or ‘shuffling’.

Patrons: Arthur Smith, Maggi Hambling, Rosemary Shrager Sokari Douglas Camp, Ali Smith, Clare Allan.

Further information is available from Susan McNally, Largactyl Shuffle Development Manager, 020 7701 2696 or 0798 565 8443, susan@cooltanarts.org.uk , or www.cooltanarts.org.uk .

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William Blake Walk 2011

volunteer — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:30:54 +0000

The Largactyl Shuffle William Blake Walk took place on the 19th November 2011 at Tate Modern. The walk focused on the life of William Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker (1757 – 1827). He was unrecognized during his lifetime, but now Blake is considered a influential figure in the history of both poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age.

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PRESS RELEASE – CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle: William Blake

volunteer — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:52:02 +0000

Date: Saturday 19th November 2011

Starting: Tate Modern, SE1 9TG Finishing: Bunhill

Times: 12noon – 4pm Cost: free/voluntary donation

Join CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle, a free guided cultural walk around Southwark, promoting mental health and physical wellbeing, using art, humour and history and de-stigmatising mental distress.

This walk focuses on William Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker (1757 – 1827). Largely unrecognized during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age. During the walk, we will explore themes of Poetry, Art, The City of London, Blake’s influence on artists, Religion, Politics, Revolutionaries, Abolition, Riots and Mental Health, not to mention Non-Conformism!

Come along and add to the discussion and exploration of Blake, share your thoughts and ideas, enjoy the company of others and have fun.

All are welcome!

The walk is suitable for people with disabilities and wheel chair users. Our friendly CoolTan guides will be there to help you. Please bring a packed lunch and drinks, wear suitable clothes and sensible footwear.

All contributions are much appreciated www.justgiving.com/cooltanarts

Contact: Lu Firth/Susan McNally Telephone: 020 7701 2696/0798 565 8443

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Southwark News Article about our Largactyl Shuffle sponsored walk

volunteer — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:31:42 +0000

Comedian takes part in charity’s walk
Southwark News, 13 October 2011
Article highlighting comedian Arthur Smith’s involvement in the Sponsored Walk 2011.

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Sponsored Walk 2011 in Review

volunteer — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:37:39 +0000

A Review – CoolTan Arts walk with Arthur Smith in celebration of World Mental Health Day 2011 Tree Planting Ceremony on Camberwell Green Arthur Smith, Sponsored Walk Patron – setting walkers off on their way with a few words of support First Stop – a talk on the History of the NHS outside the Institute of Psychiatry Group Photo outside Maudsley Hospital Home made walk banner

On Saturday 15^th October, a beautiful bright autumn day, more than 90 CoolTan Arts participants, volunteers, supporters and patrons gathered outside Maudsely Hospital to begin a monumental sponsored walk. Our BIG Largactyl Shuffle was organised to celebrate ‘World Mental Health Day’ and explored the history of the NHS from “Cradle to Grave”.

The Deputy Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Althea Smith and Cllr Dora Dixon Fyle – Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, joined us alongside comedian and broadcaster Arthur Smith, to open proceedings. Highlights included a unique tree-planting ceremony on Camberwell Green. A Gingko tree was planted, a ‘living sculpture’, made possible with funding from the Cleaner Greener Safer initiative, awarded by Southwark Council. Michelle Baharier CEO of CoolTan Arts said: “CoolTan are very proud to have this unique commission on Camberwell Green, both as a legacy for our organisation and a reminder to keep mental health on the agenda”. During the tree planting ceremony, Cllr Dixon-Fyle said: “Keep CoolTan in the Frame, that’s exactly what we’re going to do”.

The walk was staged as a fundraiser against crippling cuts from the NHS. Well-wishers will be pleased to hear that staff, volunteers, participants and patrons have to date raised a total of £6225.00 in aid of the charity. CoolTan Arts is a mental health and arts charity offering a full creative programme, from visual arts and sculpture to film-making and pod-casting, as well as self-advocacy sessions. The day was a huge success with fun, poetry, history and creative talks along the way.

Amos Phillips, Chair of CoolTan Arts Trustees expressed his thoughts on the day’s success, “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who was involved in CoolTan Art’s Sponsored Shuffle through, participating, fundraising and organising. The superb weather and unique camaraderie created by this year’s shuffle made the day thoroughly uplifting and enlightening. I would like to wholeheartedly welcome everyone back on next year’s walk!”

The event culminated in a film screening, refreshments and socialising at Tate Modern, including home-made cakes and an impromptu performance from participant Julius Xavier, with his new song, Personalisation Is For Us!

A huge thank you to all the lovely people who helped make this day so great. See some photos of the day here

You can still sponsor the walk ‘No Health without Mental Health’ by visiting: www.justgiving.com/cooltanarts

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Celebrate World Mental Health Day with CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk

kathrin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:12:15 +0000

Saturday 15 October 2011, 11.30am at Maudsley Hospital

No Health Without Mental Health!

Arthur Smith is new Largactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk Patron 2011

CoolTan Arts is delighted to announce the very talented Arthur Smith as the Largactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk patron 2011 – The internationally renowned comedian, playwright, author and broadcaster will join us on 15 October to walk, promote World Mental Health Day and raise money for CoolTan Arts.

Want to meet him? – then walk with us to help raise money and promote World Mental Health Day.

He says: “Supporting CoolTan’s Sponsored Walk and Promoting World Mental Health Day this year, is something I am pleased to do especially as I have had friends and family who have suffered clinical depression. Since I love both walking and London I am very much looking forward to the walk and to discovering more about Southwark, the area I grew up in. As an occasional (unreliable) tour guide I may need to point out places of interest myself. I am also looking forward to meeting those who’ll be at the sponsored Shuffle – kicking the system’s boredom into touch.”

Join CoolTan Arts’ BIG Largactyl Shuffle Sponsored Walk from Maudsley Hospital to Tate Modern, a fun guided cultural walk for mental and physical well-being. Celebrate creativity, challenge stigma and help us raise money so we can continue supporting people with disabilities.

Discover the history of mental health within the NHS – from cradle to grave – since 1948.

The walk is 4.8 miles long and is fully accessible for people with a disabilities and wheelchair users. In previous years, the walk attracted over 70 people from all backgrounds, disabled and non disabled people, young and old. Anyone is welcome to join, you don’t have to be fit to do the walk. We’ll have breaks and our friendly CoolTan walk stewards will be there to support you.

Please wear sensible clothes and comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. Feel free to bring sandwiches, tea, coffee for the route.

Get involved, challenge stigma and help make mental health a global concern.

Meet outside the main entrance of the Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, SE5 8AZ at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, 15 October 2011 and we will take you on the ‘Largactyl Shuffle Trail’ from Camberwell to the River. All we ask is that you commit to doing the walk with us on the 15 October 2011, and that you raise some money to help us!

To register, you need to complete and return a registration form along with a registration fee of £5 unwaged and £10 waged (non-refundable). Download the form here and return to CoolTan Arts’ office or email to info@cooltanarts.org.uk

The money raised will ensure we can continue to substantially support people with mental ill-health through workshops, walks and advocacy training, reach more people in need of support and help us move from our dilapidated warehouse to a suitable building.

Sponsor our walkers on Justgiving …

Download the full press release here

Download a Sponsored walk poster here (pdf file, 793KB)

The walk is supported by Community Learning at Tate Modern, Maudsley Hospital, Institute of Psychiatry, the Department of Health, Marks and Spencers Walworth Road, Lendlease and Team London Bridge.

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Black History Month Walk September 2011

volunteer — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:09:40 +0000

The Black History Month Largactyl Shuffle took place on the 17^th September 2011. It explored stories and figures relating to Black History and BME communities in Southwark, arts and mental health. Facts were also discovered during the event, such as the first documented interracial marriage which took place in Southwark in 1770.

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Photos from CoolTan Arts Largactyl Shuffle Legacy Walk July 2011

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:06:25 +0000

An exciting urban exploration walk of the area where the Olympics and Paralympics will take place in 2012. During the walk we discovered the place, people and local community, a brilliant afternoon with lovely people. One walker said: ” This walk made me realise what the Olympics are all about and I discovered a new area in London. The walk leaders were brilliant, I learned a lot. I’ll come again!”

Photos by Brigitte Flock

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