About

We believe that experiencing and engaging in the arts can improve the quality of life and enhance the wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff. It can provide distraction from boredom and pain, increase confidence and self-esteem, enable a greater sense of agency, and provide increased opportunities for social interaction and connection with staff, visitors and other patients as well as with oneself.  But don't just take our word for it. Here is what members of the hospital community say about our services!

Exhibitions

“It was an utter joy for me to have the artwork installed in my room. I now have a picture of the beach; the colours of the sea, the sky, the sand are all my favourite colours. I’m using it for meditation and visualisation to help heal and get better.  . . . It really is so special to me. It couldn’t have been better timing and it has been a lifeline.” 

Environmental Improvements

‘It makes you feel better coming in and seeing all that colour.’ ​

‘It’s wonderful. It makes me think of my garden. It sets a better ambience; less clinical, it’s soft. It’s about the outside and not in here. It’s very clever actually and it’s different all the way through. It’s amazing actually; you can’t get tired of it.’ ​

‘It helps you to pass the time; you study it, look for a bird.’

Volunteer Musicians

'I would really like to thank the very lovely and so talented lady who performed a beautiful solo piano recital yesterday in the main hall of Southmead hospital. It was so calming and inspirational for me, whilst my wife was undergoing surgery yesterday. Please send my best wishes and gratitude. Once again a big thank you for organising these events, I feel very privileged to have seen them perform.'

Live Music on Wards

'I visited a husband and wife yesterday. They mentioned that some musicians had been to see them the day before and how much fun it was. The gentleman has quite advanced dementia and I've only ever seen him lying there drifting in and out, saying the odd word here and there. Yesterday he was so animated and told me all about the session that he had with the musicians (he has his guitar with him), the songs they played as well as a long history of all of the people he's played with and the places he's played throughout his illustrious music career. It was amazing. Both he and his wife were so happy to have had the visit and really couldn't say enough good things about it. I just thought I'd let you know how much of a difference it made to them.'

Dance for Dementia

'I've just had some lovely feedback from a patient. She was talking about the dance and the feathers and her face lit up. She was quite muddled because she has dementia but she was really clear when she talked about the activity. What you do is really unique. It brightens up the space.'

Fresh Arts activity is made possible by the generous support of donors to Southmead Hospital Charity.

Please consider sponsoring us. Your generosity will help us to reach even more of the people in our care, transforming their lives through the shared joy of art, creativity, dance and live music. Thank you!