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Jenny Elliott

arts care imageBelfast Health and Social Care Trust
South & East Belfast Area

 

 

Dancer in Residence

Jenny Elliott originally graduated through the School of Radiographers and subsequently gained her post grad teaching certificate. In her early career she lectured in Patient Care Practice Development in the School of Radiography, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry. Jenny later trained as a Laban dance practitioner and choreographer in the late 80's. She has developed her dance artistry in Health and Education locations locally and internationally, recently undertaking a short residency in Lombardi Cancer Hospital, Georgetown University, Washington DC.

She is at present dancer-in-residence with Arts Care at, Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Belfast Health and Social Services Trust. In 2008 Jenny completed a Phd researching the impact of a Laban-based dance programme on people with an enduring brain injury and the healthcare staff who care for them. The core element of the Phd text was the use of performance and film documentary to capture the participants' experience of an arts-based activity.  She is also Artistic Director of Orbit Dance and Company Maine, two integrated ability dance companies that have evolved out of her dance residency.

Recent Arts in Health projects she has been involved include:

  • Creative Director of Arts in Health Interdisciplinary Education Project, Schools of Medicine, Film Studies and Social Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast
  • Dance facilitator on Arts in Health Medical Module, School of Medicine, Queen's University, Belfast
  • Enhancing Professional Practice for Healthcare Professionals Programme through Dance
  • Creative Dance Programme for Woman's Breast Cancer Support Group, The Cancer Centre, Belfast City Hospital
  • Recreational Dance Fitness Programme for Healthcare Staff
  • Dance Performance and Presentation at Moving On Dance and Disability Conference, Glasgow

Awards

2008 Arts Development Fund Award, Arts Council Northern Ireland

2006 Unison Award for development of Creative Programmes that enhance Healthcare

1999 Belfast City Council Award for Enhancing Healthcare through Dance-based programmes,

1996 Renee Makintosh Award for contribution to enhancing quality of life programmes for patients through the arts, South and East Belfast Health and Social Care Trust