We spoke to Hannah McIlveen, Health Partnerships Manager at Scottish Ballet and a 2024 Queen’s Nurse, about her nursing career, the power of dance and movement, her experience on the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme, and her dream role.
I started my career in a nursing home age 16 whilst I continued with my studies.
The power of movement continued to captivate me, and I progressed to a degree in Psychology and Dance. Following that, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing and began, as most do, on the wards.
I moved to specialising in eating disorders, and trained in various treatment models including CFT, NET and CBT-E. Still certain that our bodies hold knowledge, and that we should approach people as whole and curious and eager to learn more, I then progressed to training in Dance Movement Psychotherapy at Roehampton University, and used DMP to treat people living with eating disorders.
I relocated to Scotland in 2017 to be closer to family, and worked in CAMHS and then Psychotherapy. My Psychotherapy post is part-time which has enabled me to be creative in exploring other opportunities.
These included working as the first Dance Movement Specialist within the Arts Therapy team at NHS Lothian, and the pleasure of being a support artist within Scottish Ballet Health classes, I then became a freelance wellbeing consultant within Scottish Ballet’s engagement team, leading sessions on topics including supporting resilience and grief.
In 2022, my dream role was advertised; Health Partnerships Manager at Scottish Ballet. The application process was tough, and I was delighted to be successful. The post has enabled me to deepen my understanding of healthcare in Scotland and to develop meaningful relationships with people working in a variety of health boards and within social care.
The creation of this role within a dance company is novel, and I am the only health professional within Scottish Ballet’s Dance Health team. The main aspect of my role is to build sustainable relationships with health and social care and raise awareness of Scottish Ballet Dance Health neurological programmes. This has been possible due to understanding the two very different landscapes of dance health, and Health and Social care.
Due to the reputation and reach of Scottish Ballet and its commitment to inclusivity, innovation and excellence, I have had the privilege to enter meetings I would not have dreamt possible previously. I led on staff wellbeing support for Healing Arts Scotland (click here for more) – an initiative by Scottish Ballet and the Jameel Arts and Health Lab, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). I have received positive feedback on my person-centred approach, and also developed a professional connection to members of the WHO Europe team.
I have worked closely with a variety of health boards and been lucky to spend time listening to, and learning about, the local people and their perspectives. I now know there is no ‘one size fits all’ and approaches must be bespoke for communities. I have particularly enjoyed spending time in Orkney and in Dundee. Scottish Ballet worked in partnership with The ALLIANCE for the project, and their guidance and input has been invaluable.
It was key members of The ALLIANCE who introduced me to QNIS.
It was evident within an initial conversation with Clare Cable, former QNIS Chief Executive, how much QNIS’s values and priorities complemented my own. I was both shocked and delighted to be nominated for the 2024 Queen’s Nurse Development Programme. Finding out I had got through to the interviews stage was a highlight in my career.
I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to share space with some incredibly inspiring individuals. The course has been uplifting and intense. Coaching has supported me to explore my dreams, choices and perceived glass ceiling. My colleagues in the cohort are the most passionate and dedicated individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. I have been supported to be my true authentic self, and the magnitude of what this has done for me as a person cannot be overestimated.
As to what’s next for me professionally, I still can’t quite believe this is my answer, but I was a successful candidate for a fully funded PhD that will explore improving the health and wellbeing of people moderately to severely affected by MS through dance, focusing on Scottish Ballet’s Elevate® (click here for more) programme.
I am excited and thrilled to continue my relationship with Scottish Ballet in this new chapter. I have some phenomenal experts in the field of nursing, medicine and dance supporting me on this journey.
