contact if you would like to contact the synergy team to discuss details about the project, to start a new activity in your centre or simply to say hello, please: email Rosaria at rosaria@synergyarts.org.uk or phone her on 07854 542856   frequently asked questions scroll down the page to read answers to some frequently asked questions, but just get in touch if you would like to know more. what are the benefits of synergy? participants can benefit from - an increase in physical mobility - a reduction in anxiety, feelings of isolation and depression - a improvement in general well-being in addition, staff from centres can benefit from: - a development in their ability to respond to clients needs - an establishment of better relations with clients - training in delivering arts-based projects based on the independent evidence gathered during the pilot project, synergy sessions have the potential to train carers and volunteers to use some of the material from the sessions. this contributes to the sustainability and development of synergy sessions. can anyone participate? the sessions are open to all abilities and ages. Synergy practitioners will tailor sessions according to the groups' needs.   sessions can be seated or standing, or a mixture of both. what do the sessions consist of? sessions can be developed for any format and duration, from a one-off taster to regular sessions or residential courses. as an example, one project could consist of 10 weekly meetings of 2 intergrated sessions. each of the two session is devised to last between 15 minutes and an hour or more. session 1: warm-up and movement after introducing the workshop and the artform, the group is led through warm-up exercises. These warm-ups develop into a movement session. session 2: singing, rhythmic development and warm-down after a short break, the singing session builds on the rhythms of the movement session to increase the activity or gradually warm-down. the order and frequency of delivery can be tailored in many ways and will depend on the clients requirements.   how are the sessions evaluated? all sessions are attended by members of staff at the selected centres. attendance, attitude, direct feedback, comments and impressions are collected through questionnaires or other methods. all the evaluation material is reviewed and feeds the development of subsequent sessions. workshop facilitators then prepare a lesson plan to match and build on the objectives and achievements of previous sessions. the development of each series of sessions depends on the reaction of the individuals and the elements that the facilitators and centre staff identify as the main physical and emotional issues. can the workshops be applied to business environment? synergy project practioners have experience in delivering workshops to organisations and businesses. In a business setting, sessions such as these, participants will: - improve commications - increase their self-confidence - develop team work skills and dynamics - explore their non-verbal communication - experience the creation of shared personal values - think about conflict resolution through imagination and breath - learn about styles of music and dance within specific cultures why is a project like synergy needed? as arts practioners Rosaria and Polina approached different community groups in need of new activities. These groups were receiving little in terms of artistic activities or the creation of a space where clients could relax or reflect on physical and emotional challenges. after working with an older people's group and an all women group for ten sessions, Rosaria and Polina realised the potential that these sessions had to offer. in each set of sessions, once a relationship of trust had been established, participants felt more confident in undertaking tasks within the sessions, feeling more empowered in the process. in addition participants were building more stable relationships in their environments. in addition to the initial work with these two groups, Polina and Rosaria have established taster courses at local hospitals working with participants with disabilities and mental health issues. Rosaria and Polina are working to continue to provide these activities along with sustainable projects and resources for participants and staff.