It has for some time been the ambition of Art for Life to extend the range of art forms that it works with as well as offer more active opportunities for people to express themselves creatively.
This can take many forms and recently we have extended our participatory programme to include music, theatre, film, staff workshops and patient activities.
For further information about participatory projects please contact Caroline Barnes, Creative Health Coordinator caroline.Barnes1@somersetft.nhs.uk
Supported by Yeovil Hospital Charity and Thriving Communities, Postcards for Recovery is a set of creative activities and materials designed to reconnect our community after any isolating event or situation including leaving the hospital.
The activities will bring some positive distraction to keep mind and bodies happy and healthy, particularly in stressful or challenging times. From paper aeroplanes to sketchbooks and crayons the seven activities are about discovering new interests and skills that don’t need any special tools or equipment.
These free packs are currently being distributed as part of a pilot in South Somerset through our Wellbeing Hub, St Margaret’s Hospital, community partners, volunteers and the discharge team at the Hospital.
Artist Simon Ripley worked with Art for Life and ward staff to run a series of eight workshop sessions for patients on Eliot and Fielding wards. Using his mobile print making station in the wards bays, Simon encouraged patients, their visitors and families to create prints and drawings that he then integrated into artworks that have been created for the walls of the wards, the shared corridor and quiet room.