Creative activities for patients
Artlink provides creative bedside activities for patients, delivered by artists, poets, dancers and musicians - from origami sessions to aid relaxation and mindfulness, to one to one poetry sessions.
Bedside activities for patients
Poetry for patients
Trust Poet Beth Calverley has run individual sessions with patients and family members visiting on wards at then JR and Churchill Hospitals over the past couple of years.
She speaks to patients for 10-15 minutes and then types a poem for them on the spot, derived from their words.
Poems range from Sunday roasts and family gatherings to gardens, chickens, dogs, a love of history and a love story at work.
Feedback
"It was really good. Nice to occupy your mind - a good way to channel your thoughts – to take your mind off what’s going on. Adds a different spin on things - positivity. Brings something of the outside world in."
"A welcome intrusion! It changes your mood, opens your mind to thinking of things other than hospital. It's good for the mind. A very clever skill. It's lovely that it’s being offered for free."
"...friendly, chatty and entertaining. I was surprised and intrigued. It made you feel good."
Origami workshops
Lizzie Burns led origami workshops with patients, to alleviate boredom, stress and anxiety, across five departments in our three Oxford hospitals, funded by The Big Lottery through Origami Pulse.
Feedback
"Doing something with your hands calms your mind... I felt relaxed, distracted from my environment... made me feel so much better... took my mind off everything else... helped with endless waiting."
Engaging older patients
Museum of Oxford Photo Books and Boxes
Our friends at the Museum of Oxford have created a range of wonderful photo books of Oxford specifically for older patients.
Each book is packed with old photos of Oxford and fascinating stories themed as:
Childhood Days
Tea Time
Cowley Motors
Gardens and Growing
Shopping
A Night Out.
The books are designed to prompt memories and conversation.
Museum staff have also created two themed boxes to engage older patients - one themed on 'tea time' and one of 'gardening'.
The boxes contain objects that stimulate the senses - smell, touch, hearing and sight - as well as photos and stories across cultures.
My Dancing Days
This programme of visual arts and music bedside activities for patients on the John Radcliffe Hospital Trauma wards was developed by visual artist Tiffany Black and dance / movement practitioner Angela Conlan.
Their work focused on working with older patients, many of whom had dementia, and could feel isolated in single rooms.
The artists' approach was to use the arts to engage with patients and find out more about their interests, musical tastes and personal stories.
A detailed evaluation was commissioned from Angeli Vaid of Oxford Arts Consultants. She found the sessions increased levels of happiness, relaxation and distraction from boredom for patients.
When sessions ended staff observed a positive impact on patients in terms of a lighter mood for up to two hours afterwards.
Particular groups benefited most - those with dementia, those needing motivation to do physiotherapy exercise, and those not connected to the wider world though visits from family and friends.
Feedback
"They should have this on all the wards - it really cheers you up... I think what you are doing is wonderful - keep up the good work."
Engaging young patients
Introducing play and fun onto wards
Staying in hospital can be particularly difficult for young patients, not used to being away from their homes and families.
We work closely with OUH Play Specialists and staff from Oxfordshire Hospital School to develop projects that introduce play and fun onto wards, using the arts to absorb and distract young patients.
Projects range from artist-led workshops with young patients to visits by theatre companies and a podcast to enable patients to share their experiences of coming into hospital.
The Gallery Board in the John Radcliffe Hospital West Wing shows current artwork by young patients.
Feedback
"When you’re in hospital it can be a bit lonely as I am used to having my family and friends around, but today has been fun and doing the art has really helped me keep my mind off the pain after my surgery. It’s been good fun and really interesting… pretty cool for a hospital."
Katharine (14)
Activity booklets
Activity booklets for patiennts
Artlink has produced a series of free artist-designed publications for patients to provide entertainment and help assuage boredom.
Please visit:
Music on wards
Music on Wards Programme
Music does much to change the feel of our hospitals, reducing stress and anxiety, and has proven therapeutic benefits for patients.
For more about music in our hospitals, please visit:
