FINISHING DERBY SEASON OF LIGHT 2023 ON A HIGH!

2024 is underway and Surtal are feeling full of excitement and creativity for the year ahead. Looking back, they are so proud of bringing another Season of Light (DSOL) 2023 to a successful close, with so many people coming together as artists, participants and audience throughout Derby and Derbyshire. It was once again a true celebration of dazzling diversity.

Surtal Arts is a non-venue based organisation and therefore behind the success have been their venue partners from Derby city and county (i.e Quad, Artcore, Deda, Derby College, Fleet Arts, Number 28, Derby Live), schools and above all Surtal Arts dedicated and passionate volunteers and ambassadors.

Of course DSOL’s artistic work is made possible with the financial support from funders.  Therefore, a BIG THANK YOU to Arts Council of England,

Derby City Council and Derby Live for their continued support.

DSOL 2023 successes:

• ​19230 audience attended our DSOl events
• 16 events, performance  and workshops were promoted
• 52 artists promoted
• 13 schools and Derby College actively participated
• 750 Children and Young people actively participated in DSOL workshops & events
• 2068 participants in workshops
• 1 outdoor festival – Derby Lantern Parade
• 40 volunteers were actively involved in various events/workshops
• 6 training programmes took place at schools and community
• 10 partners actively supported DSOL

Planning is already under way for DSOL 2024.  For more information on how you can be involved please contact us.

SAVE LIFE…Get BloodPressure Checked!

New Year always encourages us to keep healthy after an often indulgent festive period. This year we start with some important health information.  As part of the Arts in Health project Roshni, Surtal Arts is supporting NHS Derby & Derbyshire to roll out a vital campaign about Blood Pressure – a Silent Killer.

The NHS in Derby and Derbyshire is urging people aged 40 and over to prioritise their health this season by getting a blood pressure check.

High blood pressure is responsible for nearly half of all heart attacks and strokes but often has no noticeable symptoms. It also puts people at risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and vascular dementia and yet it is one of the most preventable and treatable conditions. If you know you have it, you can do something about it.

Reducing your blood pressure by a small amount canreduce your risk of stroke by 25%.  Get it checked today…it’s easy, painless and takes just a few minutes. Encourageyour friends and family to get checked too.

Please watch the video to understand how high bloodpressure could have an impact on your life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2jlBRKfbxo

Your GP or local pharmacy can offer blood pressure checks and advice, visit the find a pharmacy website. If you live in Derby city you can request a health check on the Livewell Derby website, or even purchase your own home blood pressure monitor online. Blood Pressure UK has everything you need to know about home monitoring.

For more information on high blood pressure please visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/

Let’s take control of our health by getting a blood pressure check this week.