Stimulating and accessible creative workshops and sessions, working with patients, visitors and NHS staff.
C4 Ward Workshops
Dementia patients benefit hugely from accessing relaxing creative activities such as painting – alleviating anxiety by focusing the mind and senses.
Proving it’s never too late to get creative, the elderly patients on Ward C4 at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary have been exploring painting and printing as part of a block of creative workshops with artist Julie Stephen, overseen by Art in Healthcare Coordinator Frank Hayes.
In Block 1, patients are creating stunning blossom paintings which will be converted into a public art piece to enhance a space in the ward – we can’t wait to see the sessions develop and are so impressed at what has already been created…
The workshops provide positive, stimulating, and mindful distraction, and the sessions allow a regular, safe, creative space for patients, their loved ones, and staff to experiment with simple, accessible art practises – developing new skills and understandings, increasing confidence levels, and providing social opportunities.
Midpark Workshops
Establishing new, regular blocks of art workshops at Midpark Hospital (D&G’s acute mental health unit) has allowed inpatients and staff to interact with mindful creative processes to benefit their wellbeing.
Our Art in Healthcare Coordinator Frank Hayes has worked with a range of talented regional Associate Artists to develop accessible sessions that focus on increasing self-confidence and self-esteem – introducing participants to simple, effective printing techniques.
The weekly workshops allowed staff and patients to come together as equals, socialise, learn new skills, and be distracted from negative thoughts and feelings. As part of the sessions, patients are also signposted to community-based creative opportunities so their personal and creative development can be supported following discharge.
“It was really beneficial to be present and in the moment and just focused on the creativity”
“I didn’t know I was artistic – now I know I am”
Patients and staff have been supported to create powerful, eye-catching work that will be displayed publicly at Midpark Hospital as part of its ‘pop up’ exhibition programme.
Artists Julie Stephen delivered block 1 and Emily Tough delivered block 2 of the print workshops, and exhibition planning is well underway.
Dental Centre Workshops
Working with Dumfries Dental Centre, OPA developed the one-day workshop with Vicki Rice, Interim Senior Dental Nurse, to introduce creative therapy as part of a wellbeing day for staff.
Themes were developed based around the need for NHS dental staff to de-stress and boost wellbeing – much needed due to heavy workloads. With support from Associate Artist Julie Stephen, Art in Healthcare Coordinator Frank Hayes led a creative workshop for over 30 staff at the NHS Dental Centre in Dumfries.
Based around automatic drawing and Zentangling methods, the participants created large A2 size black and white pieces of work. Previous artistic experience wasn’t needed for the session, and everybody was led through the process of creating a flowing piece of work with lots of movement, which was then decorated with abstract patterns. Black oil pastel created positive and negative spaces on the paper for an impactful finished piece.
The aims of the restorative exercises were to allow participants to relax and loosen up via expressive art practises, enjoy the creative process, learn new skills/understandings, and to create tangible outcomes they felt proud of – boosting confidence.
Working Well Workshops
Wellbeing is important for everyone. There are many things that can affect people’s health and wellbeing – whether it’s mental or physical health issues, money worries or support as an Unpaid Carer.
Working Well is a staff health and wellbeing programme established to deliver, co-ordinate and enhance staff wellbeing across the Dumfries & Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership.
To support the wellbeing of NHS and social care staff, we are working in partnership with the Working Well initiative to develop and embed creative experiences and participatory sessions as part of existing activities, such as Wellbeing Cafes.
Midpark Empowering Portraits Workshops
Throughout February and March 2024, Midpark Hospital in Dumfries hosted a series of creative workshops.
The Empowering Portraits sessions are taking place across six weeks, presenting patients and staff with a unique opportunity to engage in artistic expression and exploration.
Under the guidance of Dumfries-based artist Kirsty Turpie, participants are able to take part in a variety of creative activities focused around the theme of portraits, self-reflection, and wellbeing.
Art in Healthcare News
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Empowering Portraits Update
The Empowering Portraits sessions recently took place at Midpark Hospital in Dumfries. Patients and staff had a unique opportunity to engage in artistic expression and exploration. Under the guidance of Dumfries-based artist Kirsty Turpie, took part in a variety of creative activities focused around the theme of portraits, self-reflection, and wellbeing. After two hugely successful blocks…
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DGRI Self-Care Week
DG Creative Wellbeing recently hosted an amazing day at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI) as part of the staff ‘Self-Care Week’. It included a printing workshop and window mural painting. Check out some images from the event.
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New Mural Unveiled at The Willows
A new mural has been unveiled at The Willows Children Young People & Family Centre based on the Crichton Campus in Dumfries. The artwork was officially unveiled as part of a special event on Thursday 21 March 2024 The DG Creative Wellbeing project’s Community Creative Wellbeing and Art in Healthcare teams worked in partnership with…
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AccessArt Passengers Exhibition
Turning Point Scotland’s AccessArt will open the Passengers Exhibition at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary on 11 March. The new exhibition, in partnership with DG Creative Wellbeing, was inspired by AccessArt participant Jim Lynn who has a passion for model buses, owning a growing collection of more than 400 miniature vehicles. Turning Point Scotland Senior…
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Midpark Empowering Portraits Workshops
Throughout February and March 2024, Midpark Hospital in Dumfries is playing host to a series of creative workshops. The Empowering Portraits sessions are taking place across six weeks, presenting patients and staff with a unique opportunity to engage in artistic expression and exploration. Under the guidance of Dumfries-based artist Kirsty Turpie, participants are able to…
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Senior Charge Nurse Creative Workshop
DG Creative Wellbeing Art in Healthcare coordinator Frank Hayes led a creative workshop with NHS D&G Senior Charge Nurses recently. The session sparked discussion about the integration of art into healthcare settings and how staff members can use it as a tool to think creatively about ways to enhance their work environment. “Everyone threw themselves into some expressive…
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Women in Photography Exhibition at DGRI
An exhibition that celebrates of women in photography will tour across Dumfries and Galloway in 2024. Currently on display at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI), the exhibition was curated and first showcased at Shambellie House in June 2023. The images displayed were taken by both emerging and established photographers from the UK and beyond.…
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Then & Now Exhibition Launched
The Then & Now installation has been unveiled at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Ward C4. The exhibition has been created by Graeme Robertson Centre for Practised Arts, Dumfries. The images displayed blend old Dumfries with the present day, using old photos overlayed and merged with new photos of the same locations. These showcase the…
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Bringing art to health sites – Launch
A unique programme has been launched in the region bringing together art and healthcare. Supported by Dumfries and Galloway Health Board Endowment Fund, OutPost Arts (OPA) is coordinating a two-year Art in Healthcare programme for the local NHS. It will see a range of activities across healthcare sites that aim to enhance clinical environments and…