Tonic Arts Summer Round Up

Welcome to our summer round up, showcasing how art and creativity is making a difference to health and wellbeing across NHS Lothian — from live music, filmmaking, and staff choirs to inspiring exhibitions, new artist commissions, and carefully curated artworks from the Tonic Arts Collection that help make hospital spaces feel more welcoming for patients and staff alike.

As other team members have moved on to new challenges, we’re delighted to welcome Karen Duval and Natasha Russell to the team. Both will be supporting us for the next two years as we continue to build engagement in the arts across all sites: Karen will be joining us as Participation Officer, and Natasha as Art and Design Enhancements Project Manager. Their expertise and fresh perspectives will be a huge asset as we continue to build momentum across our programme.

We’re also excited to be joined by a fantastic group of new volunteers, who will bring loads of energy and enthusiasm to the team.

Tonic Participation and Live Arts

Nicola Benedetti brings festival experience to patients and staff

We were thrilled to welcome world-renowned violinist and Edinburgh International Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti, to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, as part of the NHS Festival Sessions — a collaboration with the Edinburgh International Festival to bring the transformative power of live music to hospital sites.

Joined by classical guitarist, Plínio Fernandes, Nicola began the day with a moving performance for renal dialysis patients, offering a moment of calm and connection in the outpatient department. She then brought joy and excitement to children, families, and staff at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, where young attendees received their own Festival tickets and experienced the thrill of a live concert — complete with ticket-ripping on entry!

Harmonising wellbeing through song: The NHS Lothian Staff Chorus

Building on the success of the sold-out Oedipus Rex performance at last year’s Edinburgh International Festival, our ongoing partnership with Scottish Opera has provided another opportunity for staff to boost their wellbeing through participation in a staff choir.

Over eight weeks, 45 NHS Lothian staff members came together to form the Scottish Opera NHS Lothian Chorus, culminating in an informal performance for friends and family.

Rehearsals resumed again this September with the choir preparing for public performances in December while getting the opportunity to connect, recharge, and express themselves creatively.

Dates for new term: Winter 2025: 16 September – 18 November 2025

Time: Every Tuesday, 7 – 9pm

Location: St. Columba’s by the Castle, Edinburgh

Don’t worry if you’ve missed the first couple of rehearsals, please get in touch and come along!

We’re proud to collaborate with national partners like Scottish Opera to provide meaningful, high-quality experiences that support staff wellbeing beyond the workplace. These initiatives reflect our deep appreciation for the incredible work you do every day – and our belief that creativity and connection play a really important part in a thriving workforce.

Sea Trek Parade – Summer Sessions 2025

It was wonderful to see the whole hospital community come together for the Sea Trek parade, the joyful finale of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital’s Summer Sessions ‘25. This annual celebration of art, creativity, culture, nature, and community brings community, colour and energy to the hospital grounds. The turnout was fantastic — with so many people dressed in imaginative costumes created by Friends of the Glasshouses, Artlink staff, and volunteers. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this magical event possible!

Celebrating Creativity: REH Filmmakers in Residence Wrap-Up & Showcase

After 18 months of creative collaboration with patients and staff, the Filmmakers in Residence Project at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital (REH) has come to a close – leaving behind a lasting legacy of storytelling, skill-sharing, and connection.

Throughout their residency, the filmmakers worked closely with patients and staff, culminating in the formation of a legacy group who will continue to explore and develop filmmaking skills – nurturing creativity, confidence, and connection as powerful tools for improved wellbeing. To support ongoing creativity, filmmaking equipment will remain on site and accessible to all. Equipment is currently available at The Hive and Merchiston Ward, with plans to expand access across the hospital.

To celebrate the project’s achievements, the team hosted a Short Film Showcase on Wednesday, 9th July. Everyone really enjoyed the opportunity to watch and enjoy the powerful, personal stories created by the hospital community.

We’re looking forward to bringing more filmmaking and other creative projects to the REH community in the future

Tonic Collection – Site Enhancements

Comely Bank Centre

Working with staff at Comely Bank Centre, we’ve recently installed a selection of artworks to enhance the office walls and staff rooms on site.

The chosen works provide staff with an opportunity to engage and take in the art as they work and train.

Artworks by: Alice Shannon, Sophie Demery, Gayle Robinson, Safra Helen Siddiqui, Theresa Flynn and Mary Louise Colouris. Framing by Detail Framing and Edinburgh Framework.

Cicely Creswell Commission – Work in Progress

We’re excited to have commissioned artist Cicely Creswell on a new piece for our Tonic Collection. Her artwork, Gather, is inspired by folklore, nature, and the idea of community — celebrating the joy of shared spaces and connection.

Using delicate ink and paper, Cicely’s work brings together people and place in a really thoughtful way. We can’t wait to reveal the finished work and its new home in NHS Lothian soon to bring delight to patients, staff and visitors!

Royal Edinburgh Hospital

We have been busy at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, continuing to enhance spaces through creativity and collaboration. From large wards to intimate offices, we are continuing to work hand-in-hand with staff to create uplifting environments that support mental health, creativity, and a sense of belonging.

Craiglea Ward

Artworks have recently been installed at Craiglea Ward, selected in collaboration with staff to enhance areas frequently used by patients.

Featured artists include: Olive Dean, Olivia Irvine, John Mackechnie, Joan Smith and Alison McGill. Framing by Detail Framing.

Mackinnon House Offices

Two new artworks have also been installed within staff offices at Mackinnon House. Selected in partnership with NHS Lothian staff, these pieces by Edinburgh-based artist Michael McVeigh bring warmth and colour to the workspace – supporting wellbeing and encouraging daily engagement with the arts.

Jordanburn Entrance Refresh

The Jordanburn entrance has received a fresh coat of white paint in preparation for the installation of a stunning tiled panel by artist Frances Priest, who created the beautiful tiles in the Tiled Corridor. This will be a vibrant new addition to the site, celebrating craftsmanship and colour.

Alongside this, we’re developing a new Art Walk Panel to guide visitors and staff through the diverse artworks located across the hospital grounds – encouraging exploration and engagement with art in everyday spaces.

We are delighted to welcome a selection of patient artworks to our Tonic Collection!

Albert’s Hats was an exhibition that was born out of a series of charcoal drawings uncovered in Artlink’s store during Lockdown in 2020 and went on to tour four NHS hospital galleries.

Albert Nicholson has been both an inpatient and outpatient of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for over 40 years. He produced his ‘hat drawings’ in a few sittings at Artlink’s REH studio in the 1990s and was thrilled to see them exhibited. From April this year given a permanent home in the REB corridor and acute ward as part of the Tonic Collection.

Tonic Commissions

St John’s Staff Wellbeing Space

Exciting progress being made in the dedicated staff wellbeing space at St John’s! New furniture has arrived ready for staff to enjoy, hopefully encouraging them to take some much-needed breaks.

Final touches are still to be done with a spot of decorating and the installation of some artworks, including one by recent Edinburgh College of Art graduate Kitty Yarrow, that has been commissioned specifically for the quiet room.

It has been such a pleasure to work with designer, Stuart Smith-Gordon, to create a space that has been designed to feel distinctly different from the rest of the hospital, offering a welcoming and relaxing area that encourages staff on site to step away, and look after themselves.

Below: design interpretations of the space by Stuart Smith-Gordon

Royal Hospital for Children and Young People: Crichton Unit and Theatre Suite

On 4th July, staff had the opportunity to meet the shortlisted illustrators who presented their creative proposals and approach to the Crichton Ward and Theatre Suite illustration project. Throughout July and August, we also ran informal consultations with staff groups to gather further thoughts and preferences before a final selection is made. Thank you to everyone who has fed into this project so far. Your input is hugely valued and really important as we shape this creative project together!

Staff decided to choose designer Laura Morsley based on examples of potential treatments seen here, and Laura’s now starting work on the complex range of colourful designs for this large department.

Below: design interpretations by Laura Morsley

CAMHS Musselburgh and CAMHS Penicuik

Final designs have now been shared with staff and management teams at both sites, and furniture samples have been ordered to help everyone get a better feel for the colours and finishes before making final choices.

Designer, Stuart Smith-Gordon, is currently working on ideas for wall and door treatments, along with signage. These will be brought to staff and management groups in September for feedback.

Below: design interpretations of the space by Stuart Smith-Gordon

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh: Transplant Unit Artworks

Artist, Rebecca Milling, has been commissioned to create two new text-based artworks for the Transplant Ward at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, developed in collaboration with staff and patient groups. The pieces, titled Grateful, feature words and reflections from those who work in or have received care at the Edinburgh Transplant Centre.

Using projected light and colour – blue for staff voices, yellow for patients – Rebecca has crafted a glowing visual experience that brings these shared stories to life. The artwork was inspired by comments collected by Sam Slight, Senior Charge Nurse, and we’re delighted to have supported this through the programme.

The framed prints will be installed in time for Organ Donation Week (23–29 September 2025).

Providing a Sanctuary for Staff

Recognising how important it is for staff to find respite during their busy working day, we worked with teams at the Western General to revitalise 10 break rooms across the site. With input on furniture and design from our Tonic Arts team, these spaces have been transformed. Staff have told us that the improvements have significantly boosted their wellbeing, enhanced morale, and provided important opportunities to recharge, which ultimately leads to even better patient care.

Our Tonic Arts Manager, Susan Grant, presented our East Lothian Community Hospital enhancements in July to the European Healthcare Design 2025 Congress in London. Joining a panel of National Arts in Hospitals Network members, they outlined best practice – from engagement with stakeholders to collaborative working between artists, architects and NHS communities – and highlighted the power of the arts to create inclusive, positive and humane spaces that support the health and wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff. A case study on our enhancement project at East Lothian Community Hospital is forming part of NAHN’s new toolkit on the arts and environment!