Dr Jane Bourne, a senior dramatherapist at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), has been nationally recognised for her contribution to her role.
Jane, who holds a Senior Clinical Practitioner Research Award (SCPRA) from the National Institute of Health Research, has been awarded the inaugural Gold Award for Excellence by NHS England’s chief allied health professionals officer Professor Suzanne Rastrick OBE.
The award, which is announced on Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) Day, marks a decade in office for Professor Rastrick.
The first of its kind, the award goes to individuals who have strengthened and supported the work of AHPs over the last ten years. It has been developed to acknowledge and celebrate excellence, where a significant contribution has been made by AHPs in England.
Jane works on a children and young person’s inpatient ward. As the only drama therapist in the Trust, she uses creative ways for engagement.
Communication can be a challenge for young people and those with learning disabilities. Jane helps patients express their feelings in different ways; this could be through movement, storytelling, role play or drawing.
The rest of her time is spent as a senior clinical practice researcher, working with Newcastle Health Innovation Partners (NHIP) and Newcastle University where she has an honorary position. She is currently working on delivering the first randomised controlled trial for dramatherapy in the UK.
Jane works hard to raise the profile of her profession. She sits on the Learning Disability Professional Senate, which is made up of different professions representing people with learning disabilities and is the exiting chair of the British Association of Dramatherapists.
She has played a pivotal part in getting arts therapies recognised and placed on the National Psychological Framework.
On receiving the award Jane said: “I was completely stunned; it came out of the blue. I was tearful when I got the letter, it’s a huge privilege. I feel like I’m a just a little dramatherapist so didn’t expect it at all.
“I would like to acknowledge the support I’ve had to develop research activity and the opportunities I’ve been given, by my arts therapies team, with Dr Simon Hackett at the helm.”
Jane’s career history is an interesting one. She was a professional dancer before becoming an English teacher.
“I didn’t enjoy being a teacher but liked the idea of storytelling, myth and folk tales,” Jane explained.
“I completed a Masters in dramatherapy, which has a focus on story telling. I came to CNTW as a student in 2007 and have worked here ever since.”
Dr Simon, Consultant Arts Psychotherapist at CNTW and Senior Clinical Lecturer in Applied Mental Health Research at Newcastle University, said: “It’s wonderful to see recognition of Jane’s continued commitment to supporting the development of Allied Health Professions, Arts Psychotherapies, and Dramatherapy. Jane has opened up career pathways and supported opportunities for AHPs through her national roles, especially for the smaller professions.”
Amy Brown, NHIP Academy Manager, said: “NHIP Academy is proud to have Jane as part of our growing NMAHP (Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions) community and we all extend our congratulations to her on this prestigious award – as this national recognition reflects the excellence of her groundbreaking research. The academy was honoured to support Jane throughout her application for an NIHR SCPRA award we very much and look forward to seeing where her career will take her next.”